Melo only willing to waive no-trade if move is right for his family

by
USA Today Sports

Carmelo Anthony is taking a family-first approach to this year's deadline.

While his relationship with the New York Knicks appears to be worsening as the weeks drag on, the nine-time All-Star said he'd only be willing to waive his no-trade clause if the move makes sense for his family.

"That's more about what I care about, my family," Anthony told Frank Isola of the New York Daily News. "My son being comfortable in New York at an age now where he's really getting an opportunity to understand being in New York and having a home there and having friends there."

Melo's wife, La La, works as a producer and actress, making a deal with a team like the Boston Celtics more difficult for her.

"My wife working there and having opportunities there. … I think about that more so than my decision for my career," Melo said. "At the end of the day, it will come down to my decision. But I think more about my decision and what they're going to have to go through if anything would happen."

While Anthony has been linked to several teams, including the Celtics, over the past few days, the 32-year-old says he's yet to even consider any of the trade rumors that are out there.

"I never even thought about it," Melo said. "You might see it (as) weird. But I never even thought about any of these situations. Every day is a new team is a new situation. That's what happens when you're going through the trade talks and there's always a different scenario."

However, the 6-foot-8 forward once again stated that he'd be willing to listen to any offer the Knicks may present him should New York choose to rebuild at this year's deadline.

"At this point I don't think it will be any day-to-day conversations," he said. "If it's something that's imminent that they want to come to me and talk to me about, I'm pretty sure I'll get that meeting or get that phone call. There are no conversations happening with me on a consistent basis or day to day basis."

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