Report: Rockets, Knicks working on 4-team trade for Carmelo Anthony

The Houston Rockets and New York Knicks are building a four-team trade proposal that would send Carmelo Anthony to the Rockets, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports Wednesday, citing sources.

All sides are "motivated" to strike a deal, but no agreement is imminent, according to Wojnarowski.

Anthony holds a no-trade clause and a hefty trade kicker, but is reportedly willing to join his good friend Chris Paul in Houston.

The Knicks, however, are likely balking at what the Rockets have to offer. After moving heaven and earth to acquire Paul, Houston is short on movable assets.

That would explain why the potential trade has reportedly expanded to include two other teams. Rerouting some of Houston's pieces to a third or fourth city could return to the Knicks the package they covet.

The Rockets would need to ship out Ryan Anderson, or the combination of Eric Gordon and Trevor Ariza, to absorb Anthony's $26.4-million contract.

Anthony averaged 22.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists last season in 74 games with a woeful Knicks squad, and qualified for his 12th All-Star Game.