The best Carmelo Anthony trade proposal for every NBA team

The Carmelo Anthony era in New York could be nearing its end.

For the first time since he joined the Knicks nearly six years ago, Melo admitted he's willing to waive his no-trade clause if New York no longer wants him.

Unfortunately for Anthony and the Knicks, there's a very big problem: his contract. Trying to find equal value in a trade for a 32-year-old veteran who's making nearly $25 million and has never been to a conference finals is almost impossible.

And that's where we come in. With the help of the indispensable ESPN NBA Trade Machine, we went through every NBA roster (other than the Knicks, of course) to come up with each team's best realistic trade proposal to acquire Melo.

The Knicks get the better player in this one, with the option to try to re-sign Millsap next season or use the cap space to build around Kristaps Porzingis, while the Hawks team Melo with Dwight Howard. What could go wrong?

Here's a hot take: Boston's supposed treasure trove of assets really isn't that appealling outside of Brooklyn's 2017 first-round pick — which the Celtics wouldn't part with in a Melo deal.

This trade is more about getting out from that ugly, ugly Joakim Noah contract than it is getting fair value back from the Nets.

A "meh" deal for a "meh" basketball team — although Batum would be an excellent fit in New York.

Nothing about this trade makes sense, we'll admit. Given the way Chicago runs its franchise, though, you might as well swing for the fences if you're the Bulls by offering this assortment of mismatched parts and over-the-hill vets.

'Melo-Love. Straight up. 

Why not? For all of Kevin Love's skill, he's not a playmaker — and LeBron wants a playmaker. Anthony would certainly fit the bill.

Mark Cuban's last hurrah to give Dirk Nowitzki one more playoff push on his way out of the NBA next season. Spoiler: it fails miserably.

We tried to make this trade work with the original parts from the 2011 deal that sent Melo to New York, but that was ... complicated.

You can go home again, though!

Stan Van Gundy the coach: "Get rid of Andre Drummond, immediately."

Stan Van Gundy the personnel decision-maker: "On it."

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Draymond

If that's not enough, Daryl Morey might throw a 2020 pick swap into the mix, as well. Whatever it takes to get a second superstar in Houston, really.

There is that whole "Melo-Mike D'Antoni" thing, but we can figure that out later.

Hahahaha. Good try, Indiana. Good try.

Sure, the Pacers could offer Paul George ... but what would be the point? If you're trying to acquire Melo, you need to keep PG-13.

The Clippers trade a better all-around player for one of Chris Paul's best friends — plus improved 3-point shooting. The Knicks get a star to put alongside Kristaps Porzingis.

The more I think about this one, the more I want it to happen.

Sorry, Lakers fans. If the front office decides patience is overrated, Los Angeles has the best assortment of young talent in the NBA — and the Lakers could make a serious play for Melo.

Never going to happen, of course. I just wanted to see how Grizzlies fans would react to this proposal.

Knicks fans might disagree, but this is pretty even value for both sides.

As we hinted in the intro, that's kind of the problem with moving Melo: his star power is more valuable than his actual on-court performance.

Parker has been outstanding of late, which is the perfect time to make a move. Adding Melo to the mix along with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Matthew Dellavedova would propel Milwaukee near the top of the Eastern Conference standings overnight.

I'm still not sold on Wiggins developing into an All-Star-level talent in the NBA; sending him out in a trade with Ricky Rubio would allow the Wolves to recoup some real value for the point guard's expiring contract.

If Melo really is on the market, New Orleans should empty the cupboards trying to acquire his services. Putting a second star next to Anthony Davis would go a long way toward making sure The Brow means it when he says he wants to stay with the Pelicans for his entire career.

I hate to break up the "Mustache Bros." in Oklahoma City, but Steven Adams' play has made Kanter more or less expendable. The Thunder could use another offensive star to take the burden off of Russell Westbrook, too; my only problem with this deal is it might affect Westbrook's odds of averaging a triple-double.

Rebuilding through the draft hasn't worked for the Magic. If Orlando wants to try making a blockbuster deal, they have the pieces to at least get Phil Jackson to answer the phone.

That moment when "Trust the Process" runs head-first into Philly's potential playoff push. Sixers fans won't like this one, we're guessing (and probably with good reason).

Good news, Suns fans: You're getting a bona fide superstar!

Bad news, Suns fans: It's at the cost of the one young player you've been excited about in the past half-decade!

The prize in this move is C.J. McCollum, but his recent extension makes matching salaries particularly difficult. Fortunately, Philadelphia's always around to take on a few million here or there if it means adding another draft pick.

The Kings are all-in on Boogie these days, what with their reported desire to give him a monster extension. 

Sacramento also tends to change its collective mind once every three months — so if the Kings decide they're over Cousins, they could make one of the strongest plays for Melo.

This is a bad trade idea. I admit that.

It's also a personal challenge to Gregg Popovich. Can the greatest coach ever turn even Melo into a solid defender?

"Listen, Knicks. You're not going to do anything this year. Or next year. Or the year after that. So why not hand us Melo and see if we can make a run at LeBron in the Eastern Conference?"

"Yeah, no. But thanks for calling, Masai."

That loud, piercing noise you just heard all across the globe was Jazz fans shrieking at the idea of trading Gordon Hayward for Carmelo Anthony.

I don't know if John Wall and Carmelo Anthony would make for a winning combination. I do know they would play some of the most entertaining basketball on the planet — and given that every team in the East is playing for second, isn't that the real championship?