Kyrie Irving trade may stop Portland from getting Carmelo Anthony

A possible Kyrie Irving trade would result in him on the Knicks, and Carmelo Anthony on the Cavs.

A Blazers trade for Carmelo Anthony is looking bleaker by the day. Yahoo Sports’ Jordan Schultz dropped this during the Kyrie Irving fallout:

(If you don’t remember what’s going on with Kyrie, you can read about that here.)

The above deal puts a new wrinkle in Carmelo Anthony trade rumors.

Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum (even McCollum’s brother) have been active in their recruitment.

A star player won’t join a team if he’s not wanted, so the backcourt is doing their part; it’s their way of selling the team.

But, even with the two main cogs recruiting, it’s not a sure thing Melo will care that much.

He has a no-trade clause, and said he’s looking at the Cavs or Rockets. It also came out from Woj that Melo isn’t interested in Portland right now.

Related Story: Melo not interested in trade to Portland?

Getting Anthony’s approval is half the battle, and it doesn’t seem Portland has it right now.

And, say they do secure his interest, there’s still the hurdle of putting together a trade. Portland doesn’t exactly have the most promising players to offer.

Most likely, Moe Harkless would be sent off. Then there’s the choices of players like Meyers Leonard, Al-Farouq Aminu and Ed Davis — not exactly a core to build your team around.

Even with their lacking assets, a trade was possible given the dismal returns for superstars this summer.

Paul George got sent to OKC for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. Jimmy Butler is now in Minnesota, and Chicago’s return lacked any impact players.

So, Portland was looking at a possibly doable deal. But the Kyrie trade request changes things.

Knicks could get more interesting return than from Rip City

If the Knicks could get the disgruntled Irving by letting Melo go to Cleveland, that’s infinitely more attractive than anything Portland would conceivably offer.

Given the ability for Melo to opt-out after this season, the Blazers wouldn’t be offering the whole farm.

But the Knicks, having tarnished their relationship with Anthony, have nothing to lose, and assets to gain in a trade. Getting Kyrie Irving would be a dream scenario.

This does hinge on the Suns providing enough for Cleveland to let two of their Big Three (Irving and Love) go. But, giving up Eric Bledsoe and Tyson Chandler to get Kevin Love and Frank Ntilikina isn’t a bad swap.

Next: Kyrie irving continuing movement of stars to the West?

The Blazers don’t have a big name wanting out, so the Melo to PDX scenario may be dead.

Maybe the deal doesn’t go through, and Portland swoops in when Melo’s value is at rock bottom. You never know in this league.