NBA Trade Rumors: Carmelo Anthony Will Not Be Traded! Knicks Star Will Take Less Than Max Deal To Reach Championship Level! Is It In NY Or Chicago?

One NBA Trade Rumor may be shut down. Carmelo Anthony reinforced the Knicks earlier statement that the New York Knicks will not trade him. He also said he's willing to take a pay cut.

He is probably taking his college coach's advice. Melo has declared that he is willing to take less than a max contract if that would enable his team to build a contender.

Speaking to the Associated Press during the All-Star Break in New Orleans, Carmelo addressed all the swirling rumors:  "I know for a fact I'm not being traded. There's two things: I know for a fact I'm not being traded and I'm not going in there and saying I want to be traded."

Now that he's a free agent, what would he demand? "As far as the money, it don't really matter to me. If I go somewhere else I get paid, if I stay in New York I get paid. So as far as the money goes, that's not my concern. My concern is being able to compete on a high level, at a championship level coming at this last stretch of my career."

It could be in New York, and he's willing to cooperate with Knicks owner Jim Dolan: "I talk to people all the time. I always say if it takes me taking a pay cut, I'll be the first one on Mr. Dolan's step saying, 'Take my money, let's build something stronger."'

His closest friend Chris Paul voiced his support, even if that means they won't play together: "He makes really good decisions and I feel this decision for him will be no different," "I know he loves it there. His family loves it there. Most of all, he loves to play basketball there. I don't know what his decision will be, but whatever he does, I'll support him 110 percent."

Melo has laid his cards. The extra $30 million will not be much of a factor-which puts pressure on New York to build a contender-something they are miles away from.

If there will be no trade, then Chicago will be the best destination. A Carlos Boozer amnesty will set them up with $16 million cap space, and maybe they can trade smaller pieces to clear more cap space and get more picks. With the Bulls, they have an established core of Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, and they will keep Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler with Thibs as your coach.

The fact that the Bulls without their MVP has a better record than the Knicks with him playing should provide a perspective for the former Syracuse star.