Knicks Pause Carmelo Anthony Trade Talks, Hire Kings’ Scott Perry As GM

Carmelo Anthony’s tenure with the New York Knicks may not be officially over yet.

Carmelo Anthony Knicks Trade Talks

The Knicks announced Thursday that they are putting trade negotiations for the 14-year veteran small forward on hold. The team’s top executive Steve Mills cited the departure of Phil Jackson as president and the imminent arrival of new general manager Scott Perry of the Sacramento Kings as reasons for reconsidering the release of Anthony via a trade, per NBA sources.

For several weeks, the Knicks have been entrenched in trade discussions with the Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers to determine a potential trade involving Anthony, a former No. 3 overall draft pick who has played for New York since 2011.

According to ESPN, the timing of those talks may have coincided with the under-cover negotiations to acquire Perry, the Kings’ vice president of basketball operations.

Perry and the Knicks have not yet formally agreed to terms regarding compensation, per league sources. Perry was fired as the Orlando Magic’s assistant GM in April, and the Kings hired him days later to serve as GM Vlade Divac. Perry played a role in drafting Kentucky point guard De’Aaron Fox as the fifth overall pick this year, and also had a hand in acquiring forwards Justin Jackson (North Carolina) and Harry Giles (Duke) via draft-day trades.

The Rockets have reportedly been very interested in pairing Anthony — who recently faced allegations of adultery — with James Harden and Chris Paul. Paul has said he would be excited to have Anthony as a teammate.

Jackson said in a press conference earlier this year that Anthony would likely “be better off somewhere else.” It seems the Knicks are desperate to let 33-year-old Anthony go because he is an aging star who is set to earn $54 million over the next two seasons, the final two years of his five-year contract. The no-trade clause in Anthony’s contract means he would need to sign off on any potential deal.

Anthony finished the 2016-2017 regular season with averages of 5.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.4 blocks and 22.4 points.

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 17: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball against the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center on November 17, 2016 in Washington, DC.