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Report: Cavs rejected Knicks' offer of Carmelo for Love

Brad Penner / REUTERS

The New York Knicks want to move on from Carmelo Anthony, but the Cleveland Cavaliers aren't taking the bait.

The Knicks pushed for a swap of Carmelo Anthony for Kevin Love but Cleveland have shut down those talks, sources told ESPN's Chris Haynes and Marc Stein.

Anthony is arguably more accomplished, but Love is enjoying his best season to date with the Cavaliers and made strong contributions to their championship run last summer. Love also happens to be younger and on a cheaper contract.

Report: Cavaliers not interested in Carmelo Anthony

As it stands, Anthony has a full no-trade clause plus a trade kicker and has repeatedly stated his wishes to remain in New York. Evidently, Knicks president Phil Jackson has other ideas for his aging superstar.

The two have butted heads repeatedly this season as Jackson has lobbed a series of passive-aggressive barbs at Anthony through the media, culminating in weeks of tension and finally a meeting between the two mainstays.

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Anthony is a close friend of LeBron James, who has been lobbying Cleveland's office to acquire another playmaker in recent months. Anthony would fit that bill, but shedding a vital piece in Love might be too steep of a price to pay.

The 28-year-old Love is averaging 20.5 points and 10.9 rebounds while shooting 37.4 percent from deep as the third option in Cleveland. Anthony, five years Love's senior, is averaging 22.6 points and six rebounds on 37.1 percent shooting with the struggling Knicks.

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