The New York Knicks on Saturday morning finally pulled the trigger on a trade involving All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony that sent him to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

In the months preceding that, there was plenty of chatter about potential landing spots last season that included the L.A. Clippers. Following the trade of Chris Paul to the Houston Rockets prior to the start of free agency, there were reports that indicated it was head coach Doc Rivers that prevented the acquisition of Anthony.

However, Peter Vecsey of Patreon.com is reporting that it was actually Paul that denied the move for the 10-time All-Star.

However, Melo’s biggest carrot would be achieving such a foreign feat alongside Chris Paul. Fast friends for a decade or more, the two waxed poetic over the years about someday becoming teammates. That’s what makes this next news so contradictory. According to a Clipper source, it was Paul, not coach Doc Rivers, as publicized without attribution, who turned thumbs down on a trade on deadline late last February that would’ve made them teammates. Supposedly, Doc declined to include his son, Austin. Let’s be clear about the above: I have been unable to confirm that story, but know this, the informant has been unfailingly accurate over the years.

It was long perceived that Anthony's lone desire to join Los Angeles to play alongside Paul, who is one of his closest friends in the league. The fact that he was the one that didn't want the move to go through changes the narrative a bit on the entire Clippers' situation.

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This also provides more insight to how much Anthony is valued even by his close friends of what kind of player he is at this point of his career. The 33-year-old is still a highly productive player that has shown some signs of decline in his play.

Ultimately, Anthony is now in a situation where he could help the Thunder make much noise in the Western Conference alongside reigning league MVP Russell Westbrook and Paul George.