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Rumor: Carmelo Anthony will only waive no-trade clause for Rockets

By Tevin Williams

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 27: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks looks on against the Toronto Raptors during their game at Madison Square Garden on February 27, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 27: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks looks on against the Toronto Raptors during their game at Madison Square Garden on February 27, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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Carmelo Anthony has narrowed his preferred trade destination to one team.

The Carmelo Anthony trade-rumors saga has turned into a long winding road, filled with highs and lows.

Although the Knicks relieved Phil Jackson of his duties, they still want to rebuild without Anthony. New York awarded Carmelo with a no-trade clause when he signed a 5-year, $124 million contract in 2014, and he is making full use of it. Carmelo settled on just two teams that he would waive his no-trade clause for. The Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers.

The trade rumors have run rampant since the start of the offseason, but there hasn’t been any steak with all that sizzle. In mid-July, a rumor surfaced that the Knicks and Rockets were working on a four-team trade. Frank Isola of the New York Daily News reported that a deal sending Carmelo to the Rockets was at the “two-yard line.” Apparently, someone from the front office took a page out of Pete Carroll’s goal line offense, because the play fell apart.

Then, Knicks’ President Steve Mills – frustrated with the offers for Carmelo Anthony, or lack thereof – decided to remove Carmelo from the trade market. This happened after Ian Begley reported that New York couldn’t “imagine a scenario” where Melo would play in Madison Square Garden next season.

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

Next, C.J. McCollum and the Portland Trail Blazers decided to join in on the race to land Carmelo. The four-year guard stirred the pot after he posted Anthony in a Blazers jersey on his Instagram page.

CJ McCollum wants to see Melo play in Rip City ?

(via 3jmccollum/Instagram) pic.twitter.com/fBRhga1Wcc

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) July 16, 2017

Then, Tarek Fattal of Los Angles Daily News reported that a deal sending Melo to Houston would be finalized within a week of July 22, another rumor that never materialized.

Very solid source close to HOU tells me that Carmelo Anthony is likely to be a Rocket by early this coming week. Stay tuned..

— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) July 23, 2017

Carmelo only wants to play in Houston.

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Finally, we have the latest rumor to date. Matt Berman of the New York Post reported that Carmelo Anthony will only waive his no-trade clause for the Houston Rockets. This rumor is likely true, because it is consistent with previous reports of Houston being Anthony’s preferred destination over Cleveland.

The teams are still far away from a hand-shaking agreement. The Knicks don’t value Houston’s tradable assets and finding another team to join the deal has proven difficult.

It’s trade Anthony to Houston or keep him for New York.