NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 12: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks talks with teammate Joakim Noah #13 in the second half against the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden on January 12, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

After seven seasons in the Big Apple resulting in a single playoff series victory, Carmelo Anthony is finally on board with getting out of New York to greener, less dysfunctional pastures.

A trade which started off with so much promise has defaulted into classic Knicks.

Anthony represented a bonafide star New York lacked. Dealing Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, and Timofey Mozgov – all effective players in today’s NBA – plus draft picks, for the high octane scorer was supposed to up the ante for New York’s quest for an NBA Championship.

It hasn’t. Multiple head coaches have come and gone with constant change in the front office and roster. Meanwhile, Anthony’s talents have been wasted.

New York’s in free fall once again, six games under .500 at 18-24. Outside of Kristaps Porzingis salvaging what he can, there’s little sign that things are going to get better. In fact, in true Knicks fashion, things will likely get more chaotic and worse, both on and off the court.

In 2016-17, Anthony has dealt with enough controversy to last an entire career: Derrick Rose’s superteam comments, putting Kurt Rambis in charge of defense, Phil Jackson’s constant interference, George Karl’s untimely criticism, and Rose subsequently going missing for a game. The most recent headline is that Knicks president Phil Jackson used his personal puppet, Charlie Rosen, to reveal Anthony was open to being dealt.

Carmelo outright admitted if the Knicks don’t want him, he’s open to leaving. Can you blame him?

Getting out of New York won’t be easy.

Anthony has continued his 14-year streak of averaging 20 points or more in 2016-17, but inefficiency and his personal belief in being the number one scoring option has hampered the Knicks. Melo is averaging 22.1 points per game on just over 18 shots, shooting 43 percent from the field and 35 percent from the three. These are fine numbers, but not for a supposed franchise star.

Rosen cites the Cavaliers and Clippers as destinations Anthony would be willing to waive his strict no-trade clause to go.

Getting traded to the defending NBA champions is a nice thought, but extremely unlikely. To match Melo’s $24 million+ deal, Cleveland would need to send two of Tristan Thompson, Iman Shumpert, or J.R. Smith, plus filler if Thompson is held out. Shumpert and Smith aren’t untouchable by any means, but breaking up the continuity of the NBA champs and the offense’s current flow is a silly proposition.

Finding Kevin Love shots was difficult enough, but imagine trying to find shots for Love, LeBron James, Irving, and Anthony. Would Anthony be cool with being the third or possibly fourth option? Unless Thompson and a bevy of young assets (something Cleveland doesn’t have) go New York’s way, an Anthony trade doesn’t make sense for either side. Yes, hypothetically a match could be made, but not one benefiting each team.

PHOENIX, AZ - DECEMBER 13:  Kristaps Porzingis #6 and Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks reacts during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 13, 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona.  The Suns defeated the Knicks 113-111 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.  (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – DECEMBER 13: Kristaps Porzingis #6 and Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks reacts during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 13, 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Knicks 113-111 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The West-contending Clippers are in a similar situation to Cleveland. They’d need to give up at least two of Jamal Crawford, Austin Rivers, and J.J. Redick (an impending free agent), plus filler, to orchestrate a deal. Crawford and Rivers are locked up to deals extended through multiple seasons. Neither are players New York would build around. Like the Cavs, the Clippers don’t have young assets to make a deal work.

Unless the Clippers are prepared to hand over multiple unprotected first-round picks from future seasons plus the few tradeable assets they have, a Carmelo deal won’t work. Chris Paul, Redick, DeAndre Jordan, Blake Griffin, and Anthony is a team that sounds good on paper, but making that happen is next to impossible – especially if the Clippers intend on re-signing Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, free agents after next season.

If Carmelo wants to find a new home, he’ll have to more willing to accept trades elsewhere. It’s that simple. The Cavs and Clippers are extreme longshots.  Finding a fit for him and his deal on a contending squad will be difficult for the Knicks. Even more so, if his trade list remains just two teams long.

About Liam McGuire

Social +Staff writer for The Comeback & Awful Announcing. Liammcguirejournalism@gmail.com