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Carmelo says 'hell no' to potential trade request

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Knicks haven't even lost a game yet this season and already Carmelo Anthony is being asked about a potential trade request.

The 31-year-old star was asked at practice Monday if he thinks there's a point at which he'd ask for a trade this season, with the implication being he won't be happy playing out another losing season with the Knicks.

"Hell no," Anthony said. "I already came this far."

Anthony was traded to the Knicks during the 2010-11 season, having forced his way to New York from the Denver Nuggets. He signed a five-year, $124-million contract last offseason, a deal that comes with a trade clause and a substantial trade kicker. Even if Anthony were to grow unhappy, the economics of his trade kicker would make waiting until next season to ask out a more prudent move.

But those specifics are putting a potentially non-existent cart way before the hypothetical horse. Anthony hasn't asked out and is steadfast he won't, claiming his championship window is open, that he buys into Phil Jackson's vision, and that the public perception he may want out bothers him.

Smart basketball minds believe a bad season could lead the Knicks down that road eventually, but those conversations probably won't happen until the Knicks see how the new core - including No. 4 overall pick and Anthony one-on-one partner Kristaps Porzingis - looks around him.

For now, he remains a Knick, the leader of what should be an improved team with an eye on returning to the playoffs.

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