NBA Trade Rumors: Carmelo Anthony Says He Doesn't Want A Trade

New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony denied on Wednesday that he has asked to be traded if the Knicks didn't fire coach Mike D'Antoni.

The New York Post reported on Wednesday morning that Anthony had told a confidant that he'd like to be traded before the NBA trade deadline on Thursday, but the star forward denied it.

No, no, no, no. Let's nip this in the bud right now. No, Anthony said.

I don't know where that came from. I'm tired of hearing it, he added. It came out this morning from I guess an anonymous source. I'm tired of anonymous sources. I don't want to be traded. I don't know where that foolishness came from, so let's put a cap on that and make this the last time I hear about that.

Anthony went on to say that his teammates reached out to him to say that they wanted him to stay in a Knicks uniform, despite all of the drama currently surrounding Madison Square Garden. He said that he had no idea where the rumors even started from and that the team's losing streak hasn't discouraged him about the team's long-term plans.

It's funny. After we lose a couple of games in a row, I want to be traded, he told reporters. I've faced a lot of adversity in my career. I've never ran from it. I ain't going to pick today.''

The Knicks have been embroiled in drama ever since Anthony returned from an injury on Feb. 20th. After a wild win streak during Linsanity, the Knicks have lost eight of 10 games with Anthony in the lineup. Anthony has struggled fighting into D'Antoni's offensive schemes and often ignores his defensive assignments, according to ESPN's Chris Broussard.

This has led to the rumors that Anthony wants out and that D'Antoni's time as the Knicks coach could be limited. ESPN's Stephen A. Smith reported on Wednesday that he'd be shocked if D'Antoni was still the coach next week and that former Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson would be willing to become the Knicks' next head coach.

Jackson won 11 titles as the head coach of the Chicago Bulls and Lakers and would bring instant credibility to the Knicks. He'd likely require a hefty salary, but that has never stopped Knicks owner James Dolan in the past.

Jackson also might be able to develop a better relationship with Anthony than the one D'Antoni currently has with his disgruntled star. D'Antoni was reportedly against trading for Anthony last season and doesn't think he is a good fit for the type of offense he likes to run. The New York Post reported that the two have a frosty relationship and that has led to Anthony's interest in having a new head coach run the Knicks.