Report: Knicks’ Acquisition of Tim Hardaway Jr. Expected to Trigger Carmelo Anthony Trade…. To Houston

In the aftermath of the New York Knicks offering Tim Hardaway Jr. a 4-year, $71 Mil. contract, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports a Carmelo Anthony trade is expected to follow.

The Atlanta Hawks are reportedly not going to match the Knicks’ offer to Hardaway Jr. and it’s been no secret Anthony has been part of trade rumors for the past few seasons, but even moreso in the last few months.

Cleveland Cavaliers fans hoping for Anthony to join LeBron James in a quest for a fourth-straight Eastern Conference Title may not like what Wojnarowski’s report had to say Saturday.

The Knicks’ acquisition of Hardaway Jr., to the staggering deal is expected to trigger a renewed willingness to work with the Houston Rockets on trade scenarios to unload Carmelo Anthony, league sources told ESPN.

NYK still wants to deal Melo. They don't imagine a scenario where Hardaway Jr. is sharing the floor w/Melo to start the season, per @wojespn https://t.co/xczj27xMol

— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) July 8, 2017

The Rockets have more assets, enticing players to offer in a trade and more money to spend than Cleveland. Anthony has a No-Trade clause, but has reportedly been willing to waive it if he were traded to Cleveland or Houston.

Two of Anthony’s closest friends in the league are LeBron James and newly acquired Houston Rocket Chris Paul.

We’ll keep you posted as more news develops.