NBA Trade News: Cavaliers rebuff Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Love swap

The Cleveland Cavaliers have nixed a potential trade that would send Kevin Love to the New York Knicks in exchange for nine-time All-Star Carmelo Anthony, according to several reports.

In recent weeks, Anthony's future in the Big Apple has been under the scanner after several reports hinting that the Knicks are trying to convince the superstar forward to waive his no-trade clause. Since Anthony has the power to control his own future, the Knicks are reportedly trying to work out a trade that would receive the blessing of the former scoring champion.

Last month, Charley Rosen, a close ally of Knicks president Phil Jackson, wrote in his blog that Anthony was comfortable waiving the no-trade clause only if New York finds a way to send him to either the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Los Angeles Clippers. It's no secret that Anthony is close friends with LeBron James and Chris Paul, the leaders and franchise players of the two ball clubs.

According to ESPN, the Knicks front office recently contacted the Cavaliers to entertain the idea of a direct swap between Love and Anthony. "League sources told ESPN on Wednesday that the Knicks approached the Cavaliers to gauge their interest in swapping All-Star forwards but were told Cleveland was not interested in such an exchange," read the report by NBA insiders Marc Stein and Chris Haynes.

Cavs Trade News: Team nixes Carmelo Anthony to Cavaliers trade

The report added that the Knicks would approach Anthony with the trade proposal if the Cavaliers express interest ahead of the Feb. 23 deadline. "The Knicks, sources said, would have gone to Anthony to discuss waiving his no-trade clause had Cleveland shown interest in the deal (for Kevin Love)."

The Cavaliers front office is under immense pressure to upgrade the roster ahead of the trade deadline. LeBron James has urged them to find the team a backup point guard to play behind starter Kyrie Irving. According to James, the team needs to "act fast" to have a shot at repeating as NBA champions after winning a franchise-first title last June.

David Griffin, general manager of the Cavaliers, recently acknowledged James' comments. "There's going to be a lot of things written between now and the end of the (trade) deadline (on Feb. 23), and we're going to be pretty consistent with not telling you any of those things. I'll always try to keep you from driving off the cliff if you're banging a drum that's absolutely untrue all the time, but I'm not going to speak to any of those things."

The Cleveland Cavaliers are currently playing with starting two-guard JR Smith, who is currently sidelined with a thumb injury. Smith is expected to rejoin the team when the postseason begins in April.

Carmelo Anthony signed a five-year, US$124 million (AU$165 million) contract with the New York Knicks ahead of the 2014-15 season. Though his contract runs through the 2018-19 season, Anthony has an opt-out clause at the end of next season but is expected to pick up his Player Option since he turns 33 later this year. Kevin Love, on the other hand, has three seasons left on his contract at the end of ongoing season. Unlike Anthony's deal, Love doesn't have a Player Option or a no-trade clause.