Casual inhabitants of the basketball world are focused solely on the glitz and glam of All-Star Weekend. Team executives, however, are treating the league’s biggest annual gathering as something different altogether: a summit to discuss potential deals with Thursday’s trade deadline fast approaching.
It’s fair to assume, then, that Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge – who’s longing for a superstar is even more than an open secret – is talking shop with fellow decision-makers in Toronto. The supposedly proposed trade involving the green and gold, though, is somehow bigger than ever seemed possible.
According to Frank Isola of The New York Daily News, Boston has engaged in trade scenarios with the Cleveland Cavaliers centered around Kevin Love – and the New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony is included, too.
The Daily News has learned that the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers have discussed a blockbuster trade centered around Kevin Love. There were very preliminary discussions about expanding the deal to include the Knicks and Anthony, who would have to waive his no-trade clause in order to facilitate a deal to the Cavs.
Note the crucial qualifier here: “very preliminary.”
The Celtics’ discussion with the Cavaliers for Love by itself seems to be far more advanced than a larger one connecting Anthony and the Knicks. The no-trade clause in his contract certainly bears mentioning again, too. Anthony recently told Newsday that he has no intention of waiving the provision this season.
Nevertheless, this certainly makes for a sexy rumor, as does the prospect of Anthony teaming with James and Irving in Cleveland. On the other hand, it’s not exactly like the wine and gold’s current Big Three has found the best way to coexist, either. Would substituting Love for a more ball-dominant player like Anthony really improve the Cavaliers’ offense?
We’re dubious.
Let’s take this report for what it actually could be: a swap between Boston and Cleveland involving Love. Until that rumor’s legs grow longer, though, getting overexcited about it would be a mistake – just like doing the same with Anthony’s highly, highly unlikely inclusion already is.
