LeBron James calls reporter, Kevin Love trade report 'trash'

Feb. 7 (UPI) -- Carmelo Anthony might be a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers sooner or later.

Or this could all be noise.

LeBron James is opting for the latter. On Monday the New York Daily News' Frank Isola reported that James was "pushing" the Cavaliers to trade for Anthony, even if it meant letting go of Kevin Love. Cavaliers management has been opposed to including Love in a trade to the Knicks.

According to multiple reports, Knicks president Phil Jackson hopes to move Anthony by the Feb. 23 trade deadline.

James was asked Monday about the report.

"It's trash," James told reporters. "And the guy who wrote it is trash too, for writing that, especially during the game like that. So it's always about outside noise, and that's just outside noise for us. We got to focus on what needs to be done and that's to continue to compete for a championship. And we got who we got. Our GM will do a great job of figuring out if we need something else, but right now we're in a good place."

Love and James joined forces with Kyrie Irving in 2014.

"It's a lie. What do they say? A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to put his pants on," Love told ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

Love had 39 points and 12 rebounds Monday in the Cavaliers' 140-135 win against the Washington Wizards. The 28-year-old is averaging 20.4 points and 11.1 rebounds per game this season. He is due $22.6 million next season and $24.1 million in 2018. Love has a $25.5 million player option in 2019.

Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue told McMenamin that Love isn't "going anywhere."

Anthony, 32, is averaging 22.9 points and 6 rebounds per game for the Knicks. The nine-time All-Star is due $24.5 million this season and $26.2 million in 2017. Anthony has an early termination option for $27.9 million in 2018.

Love, a three-time All-Star in his own right, was criticized for being benched last year in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. He responded in Game 7 with 9 points and 14 rebounds.

The Knicks have continued to pursue Love, even after the Cavaliers denied its initial offer. Anthony has a no trade clause that would need to be waived before any deal.

Anthony was also traded in 2011 as part of a three-team deal between the Knicks, Denver Nuggets, and Minnesota Timberwolves.