NBA Trade Rumors 2014: New York Knicks Won’t Trade Carmelo Anthony, Interested in Acquiring Kenneth Faried

The New York Knicks are expected to become very active before the trade deadline, but reports suggested that the team will not consider trading superstar forward Carmelo Anthony.

The Knicks could lose Anthony when he becomes a free agent this summer, but NBA analyst Marc Stein reported that there is no chance the team will move the 29-year-old superstar before the Feb. 20 trade deadline.

"There is 'no chance' the Knicks will deal Carmelo Anthony, who owns a contract opt-out this summer, before the trade deadline," Stein reported.

Previous reports indicated that the Knicks will likely consider trading Anthony instead of running the risk of losing him for nothing in the offseason, but their front office executives are still convinced that the All-Star forward will eventually decide to stay.

Several teams are expected to make a strong push to acquire Anthony in the offseason, but the Knicks still have the upper hand because they can offer a contract that is $30 million more than what other teams can put on the table.

However, league executives are also convinced that money will not be the main factor when the 29-year-old superstar makes his decision this summer.

Sources said that Anthony will pick a team that would give him the best chance of winning his first NBA title, and this could force the Knicks to make drastic moves before Anthony hits free agency.

Kenneth Faried On Knicks' Radar

Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo remains as the top target of the Knicks, but sources said that they will likely settle with their other options, including Kenneth Faried of the Denver Nuggets.

Reports indicated that the Knicks are planning to offer a package involving Iman Shumpert in a potential trade for Faried, who is averaging 10.5 points and 7.6 rebounds per game this season.

While a trade for Faried is not the type of move that would convince Anthony to stay in New York, the 24-year-old forward is expected to provide additional frontcourt depth to the Knicks, whose frontline has been hobbled by injuries all-season long.

The Nuggets previously denied reports that they were shopping Faried, but NBA analyst David Aldridge believes that Denver will pull the trigger if given the right offer before the deadline.

"There's been a lot of smoke around the league that Denver's made Faried available in trade talk. The Nuggets, of course, deny it, which means its likely true," Aldridge noted.