NBA Trade Rumors: Recent Data Shows Carmelo Anthony Would Be A Good Fit For Cleveland Cavaliers

The latest NBA trade rumors center around a three-team trade that would send New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony to the Cavs, while Cleveland power forward Kevin Love would end up in Boston. Here’s why the Cavs should make the deal.

Carmelo Anthony playing alongside LeBron James? It sounds like a dream come true. The two icons of the 2003 draft class unite to bring Cleveland its first championship since 1964. And all it would cost is Kevin Love?

Where have we heard that before?

The ink is barely dry on Kevin Love’s five-year max deal, and every armchair GM can’t wait to ship him out of town for a guy who’s been labeled a malcontent, more worried about stats than about winning, who just so happens to possess the worst winning percentage in the history of the NBA.

The idea of Anthony and LeBron playing alongside each other worked on the USA basketball squad, and it’s fun to think about, but would Anthony’s presence really make the Cavs better this season?

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There’s lot’s of reasons not to make this trade.  Love is 27 and had some serious shoulder surgery over the summer. Anthony will be 32 in May. He had major knee surgery last summer. Give me the guy who’s four years younger and still has good legs.

Secondly, do the Cavs really need another ball dominant superstar? Remember, the Cavs are trying to shed their stagnant offensive ways. Why do we grow frustrated with LeBron at times? Dribble, dribble, dribble, dribble, 3-pointer, clank. And then there’s Kyrie Irving. It takes about three minutes of watching a game to know Kyrie loves to dribble, dribble, dribble.

Like these superstars, Anthony likes to have the ball in his hands. His career usage rate is 31.7 percent, and he’s playing at a 29.6 percent clip this season. Some other usage rates on the Cavs: LeBron, 31.5; Kyrie, 29.4; Love, 22.8.

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However, those aforementioned USA squads where Carmelo was unstoppable as a “stretch-four” catch-and-shoot option make this potential deal intriguing.

Can Melo function playing with other superstars in the NBA. Players will sacrifice some on the international stage. But in The Association? Where their money is made? Remember, that stat on usage. He loves to have the ball.

Some recent data suggests Melo can function do less. It’s a short sample size, but in his last 24 games with the Knicks,  Anthony’s averaged 8.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists, and his scoring average has dipped to 21.0 points, according to ESPN’s Jordan Brenner.

Gambling on Anthony is tough, because Love is a great player. And only Anthony knows how comfortable he is at this point of his career being a second or even third option. Can he continue on with his recent play with the Knicks, or will his old ways of being a ball-hawking, high usage, low efficiency player take over?

However, consider this starting five should the Cavs and Warriors meet up in the Finals. Kyrie Irving at the point, JR at shooting guard, Carmelo at small forward, LeBron at power forward, and Tristan as your starting center. As long as Anthony doesn’t fall into the trap dribbling out the shot clock, I’d be hard pressed not to make this trade.

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Anthony has a no-trade clause in his contract, but it’s been reported he’s intrigued at the notion of playing alongside James. The NBA trade deadline Feb. 18.