NEW YORK -- Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony's good friend and the face of one of the teams that have discussed potential trades for Anthony with the New York Knicks, said Friday that he just wants Anthony to be happy, no matter where he's playing.

Editor's Picks

• Sources: Knicks still after Love; Cavs stand firm

  The Cavaliers maintain an interest in Carmelo Anthony but only if a deal with the Knicks can be struck without Kevin Love, sources told ESPN.

The Cavaliers maintain an interest in Carmelo Anthony but only if a deal with the Knicks can be struck without Kevin Love, sources told ESPN.

"I just want the best for my friend, no matter what it is," James told reporters in Cleveland before the Cavaliers traveled to New York for their game against the Knicks on Saturday night. "If [Anthony's] there in New York or if not, I just want the best for him. I want him to be happy.

"The game comes very easy to you when you're happy where you are. If he's happy in New York, maybe he wants to be elsewhere. I'm not sure. He's done a lot for that franchise. He did a lot for the Denver franchise as well. We'll see what happens."

The Cavs rebuffed the Knicks' attempt late last month to trade Anthony for Kevin Love, sources told ESPN's Marc Stein and Ramona Shelburne.

Stein and Shelburne reported earlier this week that the Knicks continue to pursue Love in advance of the Feb. 23 trade deadline despite the Cavaliers' unwillingness to part with him. Love said on Friday that he believes he'll remain with the Cavs "for a long time."

Sources told Stein and Shelburne the Cavaliers maintain an interest in Anthony -- which would pair him with James -- but only if a deal can be struck without the Cavs surrendering Love.

Anthony has a no-trade clause and would need to waive that clause before any deal can be consummated.

Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.