NBA: New York Knicks appear to pause on Carmelo Anthony trade talks

The New York Knicks now appear to be pausing trade talks involving 10-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony.

The Knicks want to pursue a conversation with Anthony about possibly reincorporating him into the organization, league sources told ESPN.

After talking with the Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers over the past month about a possible deal for Anthony, the Knicks told both teams they are stepping back from trade talks for a short time, according to the report.

The Knicks are in the middle of reshaping their front office after the departure of Phil Jackson as team president last month following three disappointing seasons.

The Knicks' top basketball executive, Steve Mills, reportedly will be elevated from general manager to president and the team has reached an agreement with Sacramento Kings vice president of basketball operations Scott Perry to become the new GM. Perry's hiring is pending as the Kings are seeking compensation to release him to New York.

The front office developments have pushed Mills to reconsider the Knicks' intentions on trading Anthony, sources told ESPN. The Knicks reportedly want Anthony to meet with the new front office and coach Jeff Hornacek in the near future.

The Rockets and Knicks were diligently working on a deal to send Anthony to Houston where he would join All-Star point guard Chris Paul and James Harden, another All-Star and volume scorer who flourished in Mike D'Antoni's offense last season. As many as four teams could be involved in the trade talks.

Anthony and Jackson feuded through the media with the Knicks mired in a rebuild and Anthony, who signed a five-year, $124 million deal upon Jackson's arrival, failing to meet Jackson's expectations.

ESPN reported the Rockets aren't being bashful about paying Anthony his guaranteed salary ($26,243,760) for the 2017-18 season, but the final year of that contract in 2018-19 ($27.9 million guaranteed) might be a roadblock unless the Knicks are willing to absorb a portion.

Anthony reportedly told the Knicks he would be willing to waive his strict no-trade clause to join the Rockets and his close friend Paul, or find a path to Cleveland, where Anthony could team with LeBron James.

Anthony averaged 22.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 74 games in 2016-17, his sixth full season with the Knicks.