Why the Knicks put Carmelo Anthony trade talks with the Rockets on hold

The New York Knicks have reportedly put trade talks with the Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers for Carmelo Anthony on hold.

Steve Mills and the New York Knicks have just put a dagger in the hearts of the Rockets faithful. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarwoski and Ramona Shelbourne, the Knicks have paused trade talks with the Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers for Carmelo Anthony.

All of this coming after a source close to the New York Daily News said that a deal sending Carmelo Anthony to the Rockets was at the “two-yard line.” Well, he didn’t specify which two-yard line, maybe he was talking about the one 98 yards away from the end zone.

Carmelo has a no-trade clause that he was willing to waive if a deal materialized sending him to either Houston or Cleveland. It’s obvious that he wants to join a winning team that can compete for a championship.

Why did New York pause the trade talks?

After the departure of Phil Jackson, Steve Mills wants Anthony to meet with incoming GM Scott  Perry and the rest of the new front office, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelbourne.

Wednesday, Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Knicks and Rockets were working on a four team trade. The reason being that New York is interested in players younger than 25 years old. The Rockets wanted to send Ryan Anderson to New York, but at 29 years old with a $19 million salary, he isn’t exactly what the Knicks had in mind.

It appears that the Knicks want to meet with Carmelo again and talk to him about staying with the team. I can’t imagine Carmelo wanting to suit up for a team that has publicly attempted to push him out of New York, and whose fans have booed him at home games.

Heck, on July 8 the Knicks said that they “don’t imagine a scenario” that Carmelo returns to New York after they signed Tim Hardaway Jr to a four-year, $71 million deal.

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

New York is a dysfunctional organization. One where owners and former players duel, average players are signed to lucrative contracts and executives devalue their own players. Not to mention that the Knicks are nowhere close to competing for a playoff spot.

Next: Houston Rockets: How Would Carmelo Anthony Fit?

With the Rockets trading for Chris Paul this summer, the addition of Carmelo Anthony would make Houston a championship contender, and he hasn’t forgotten that.