Carmelo conversations continue but deal proves elusive

NEW YORK - The New York Knicks and Houston Rockets are still trying to work out a deal involving Carmelo Anthony, though it may take some time - if it happens at all.

The teams continue to talk about a trade but no deal is imminent, said a source familiar with the situation. The source said Anthony has told the Knicks he would accept a move to the Rockets but the teams are still trying to find a trade that works for both sides.

The source spoke to Associated Press on Thursday on condition of anonymity because the talks between the teams remain private.

Anthony has a no-trade clause and would have to agree to any deal. He has told the Knicks he would waive it to go to Houston or Cleveland.

The Knicks have been trying to trade the All-Star forward but finding a deal is difficult. Anthony is 33 and still has two years and $54 million remaining on his contract, and teams have been hesitant to engage the Knicks on talks knowing Anthony could block a deal.

He had long maintained he wanted to remain in New York, but Houston became attractive to him after acquiring his close friend Chris Paul from the Clippers in a trade. The Rockets were scheduled to introduce Paul at a media conference on Friday.

ESPN reported that the teams have expanded talks to include a third or even a fourth team.

The Knicks are looking to rebuild around young players and aren't interested in taking back long-term contracts such as Ryan Anderson's, who has more money and years left on his deal than Anthony.

A trade would reunite Anthony with Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni, who resigned as Knicks coach in March 2012, in part over his frustration with Anthony's aversion to his offense.

However, the Rockets have two elite distributors in Paul and James Harden, who led the league in assists, and Anthony can possibly settle into the spot-up shooter role he's played in the Olympics, where he's won a record three gold medals and is the career scoring leader for the US men.

Notes:

* The New York Knicks have reached agreement with Sacramento Kings vice-president of basketball operations Scott Perry to become the club's new general manager, CSN Chicago reported on Thursday.

The Knicks met with Perry on Thursday, as the team continues to rebuild its front office following the departure of Phil Jackson last month. If Perry is hired, he apparently would report to Knicks president Steve Mills .

* Point guard Rajon Rondo and the New Orleans Pelicans met in Louisville to discuss a short-term contract.

ESPN first reported the sit-down, citing sources who labeled the meeting "excellent".

Rondo played well in the playoffs with the Chicago Bulls before a thumb injury ended his one-year stay with the rebuilding franchise.

Associated Press