The relationship between Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks is one of the most confusing spectacles in the world of sports.A number of reports recently confirmed that the Knicks were close to a deal with the Houston Rockets which would have teamed up Melo with Chris Paul and James Harden.But, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Adrian Wojnarowski, the Knicks might want to keep the 10-time NBA All-Star after all. “The New York Knicks are pausing trade talks centered on Carmelo Anthony and want to pursue a conversation with the 10-time NBA All-Star about possibly reincorporating him into the organization,” wrote the ESPN insiders in a joint report.According to Shelburne and Wojnarowski, the Knicks spoke with both the Rockets and the Cleveland Cavaliers for nearly a month, but nothing ever transpired, which caused New York to step back from the trade talks for the time being.

The departure of Phil Jackson as president of basketball operations and the impending arrival new GM Scott Perry has made the team’s top basketball executive reconsider trading Anthony, the two reporters added.

To add, the Knicks reportedly want Anthony to meet with the new front office and head coach Jeff Hornacek in the near future to discuss returning to the team, although, as Shelburne and Wojnarowski report, Melo has been focused on getting a deal done with Houston in particular. Plus, given the clear position of the team, who hasn't exactly been a loyal ally to Anthony in recent seasons, it seems as though a resolution for both sides may be tricky.

In late June, per an ESPN report, Carmelo's wife La La admitted that while Melo desires a buyout from the Knicks, staying close to his son in New York is a major priority for him. 

"The most important thing with that is just to stay close to Kiyan," La La said during a tv interview, when asked about reports of Anthony being traded. "That's my priority, that's his priority. So wherever he ends up, of course we want him to be happy."

One way to do that is, of course, to stay put and play out the rest of his contract in the Big Apple, which might be precisely what the franchise's new plans are.

This is just the latest chapter in the never-ending saga between Carmelo and the Knicks. It should be fascinating to see what transpires in the coming days and weeks.

In 74 games played for the Knicks last season, Anthony averaged 22.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists over 34.3 minutes per game.