Knicks' Carmelo Anthony willing to waive no-trade clause for Rockets

      

Knicks star forward Carmelo Anthony is now "open" to waiving his no-trade clause if the Knicks were to able to forge a deal to move him to the Rockets or Cavaliers, according to an ESPN report, but there has been no progress on a deal with the Rockets.

Anthony is due to earn more than $26 million next season, likely requiring the Rockets to send forward Ryan Anderson to New York and additional contracts in any deal. Anthony could also receive a trade kicker if he agrees to a deal, though a trade kicker, unlike the rest of a player contract, can be reduced or waived.

The Knicks have been reluctant to center a deal around Anderson, who plays the same position as their most important player, Kristaps Porziņģis, and is signed for three more seasons. New York is without a general manager since the departure of Phil Jackson, but indications have been that the Knicks would seek young prospects to be a part in rebuilding in a deal for Anthony.

Anthony played for Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni with the Knicks and though there was friction in D'Antoni's final season in New York, D'Antoni would welcome a reunion, a person familiar with the Rockets' thinking said last week.

If they were to add Anthony, the Rockets would, however, seek to play him as a power forward, with Trevor Ariza and new addition P.J. Tucker at small forward. The Rockets have not seemed optimistic about a deal for Anthony with the prospect of Tucker playing at both forward spots a large part of their conversations before agreeing to a three-year, $34 million deal.

Anthony, a 10-time All-Star, has reportedly grown more interested in joining the Rockets since the trade for his longtime friend, Chris Paul, last week.