Report: LeBron James “Pushing Cavs to Trade for Anthony, Even If It Involves Kevin Love”

Fire up the Melo-drama. Right after the Cavs dominated the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, Frank Isola of New York Daily News reports that LeBron James is pushing the Cavs to trade for Carmelo Anthony, even it involves trading Kevin Love.

For starters, Isola is the same guy who first reported in February of 2016 that James and Anthony had discussed the possibility of forcing a trade to bring Melo to Cleveland.

Anthony has a no-trade clause and can veto any deal he wants, but is reportedly in favor of going to the Los Angeles Clippers or Cavs.

One year after Isola’s first reports of possible Anthony to Cleveland trade scenarios, the Knicks are no closer to winning a title than they were at this time in 2016.

As Isola notes, “Anthony knows his championship window is closing fast.”

Cavaliers management is reportedly opposed to trading Love for Anthony straight up and in order to pull off the deal without involving one of Cleveland’s stars, it would take at least three of Cleveland’s role players to match Anthony’s salary.

If the Cavs were to make a deal involving Love for Anthony, it’s possible Cleveland could ask for more pieces in return, like a backup point guard and/or backup big man to fill empty roster spots.

If Isola’s reports are true, this could come down to a situation where the Cavaliers front office has to decide between “giving LeBron what he wants” and standing their ground, proving that LeBron really doesn’t call all of the shots.

However it unfolds, it will be interesting to see what LeBron, David Griffin, and Kevin Love have to say on the matter after the Wizards game.

If reports about David Blatt’s firing in 2016 are true, LeBron already had a lot to do with one mid-season change that led to a championship ring. Perhaps he’s in the process of making another drastic change to the organization before the All-Star Break.