Washington Wizards NBA Trade Deadline 2017: Why the Wizards Should Pursue Carmelo Anthony

Washington Wizards are one piece away from seriously contending for an NBA Championship. New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony could be that piece.

Looking to return to the NBA Playoffs in an Eastern Conference that’s considered “wide open,” Phil Jackson signed and traded for a number of notable names this past off-season.

Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose headlined the list of additions the New York Knicks made, but neither player has done enough to elevate the team. The team is sitting 10 games below .500 – 12th in the East.

Noah’s game has deteriorated and he has three years left on his $74 million contract, making him almost untradeable. Rose literally ran to Chicago without notifying the team and his future in New York remains uncertain. He’s on an expiring contract.

Through all of the dysfunction, Carmelo Anthony has remained committed to his role as the Knicks’ most important player. Anthony continues to shoot down trade rumors, despite Jackson’s obvious attempt to convince him to waive his no-trade clause.

The environment in New York is arguably the worst in professional sports.

More from Wiz of Awes

It’s been quite some time since the Sacramento Kings have been rivaled for “worst environment in basketball,” but even the Kings have managed to avoid arresting one of their former players in the arena.

Anthony has increased his points average, field goal and free throw percentage from last season, yet he’s gotten blamed for the team’s dysfunction – something he’s had no actual part in.

Anthony, who was left off this year’s Eastern Conference All-Star team, is averaging 23 points and 6 rebounds.

Both statistically and on the court, Anthony’s level of play hasn’t decreased. Really, it could be argued that he’s improved during the tumultuous time.

But for Anthony to return to All-Star form – for him to play with effort on both ends of the floor and lead a high-powered offense – the environment has to change.

His value has never been lower. Teams have been unwilling to trade their assets for Anthony, knowing that the Knicks are stuck in the basement with no way out.

Rumors of the Knicks entertaining a trade package from the Los Angeles Clippers involving Austin Rivers – a solid backup guard on his best day – show how much value Anthony has on the market.

Teams that have the potential to win now, like the Washington Wizards, could acquire Anthony without giving up anything substantial.

Washington’s bench is currently last in scoring and field goal percentage. The starters have been logging heavy minutes, second to just the Minnesota Timberwolves.

If the Wizards want to compete in the Eastern Conference Finals and push the Cleveland Cavaliers, they could be one real game-changing piece away from doing so.

More from Wiz of Awes

Anthony, who lived in Baltimore, would fit seamlessly into Scott Brooks‘ system.

Theoretically, the Wizards have everything the Knicks could possibly want, at least when compared to the rumored deals.

Washington could create a package consisting of a high-salaried veteran to match Anthony’s deal, a young player with promise and a draft pick.

The following trade satisfied the current collective bargaining agreement, according to RealGM’s trade checker:

Wizards receive: Carmelo Anthony

Knicks receive: Ian Mahinmi, Kelly Oubre, Andrew Nicholson, ’17 First Round Pick

When healthy, Mahinmi has proven to be a starting-quality center. New York would likely have to find a deal for Noah before agreeing to the trade above, but Mahinmi would be an instant upgrade over any big man not-named Kristaps Porzingis on the Knicks’ roster.

Oubre would be New York’s small-forward for the future – something they desperately need. He’s shown flashes of his 3-and-D skill-set, making him a worthy prospect. The first round pick would give the Knicks an additional avenue for future improvement, and another way to signify a rebuild. Nicholson is merely a salary filler.

Anthony likely wants to play for a winning team and the Washington Wizards are third in the East. Wall, who’s second in the NBA in assists, would be the best player Anthony has ever played with – and vice versa. His innate ability to increase others’ production would help Anthony return to All-Star form.

This scenario, of course, is contingent on a number of factors, including the Knicks’ desire to dump Anthony and what they’d want in return. If the Rivers report is accurate, the hypothetical trade involving the Washington Wizards would at least entice the Knicks.

Next: Why the Wizards Have One of the Best Young Cores

A core of John Wall, Bradley Beal, Otto Porter, Carmelo Anthony, Markieff Morris and Marcin Gortat is talented enough to compete against any team in the NBA. Washington is missing one final piece before making a real push towards an NBA Championship. Anthony might be that piece.