Since he holds a no-trade clause, New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony has a complete say on where he ends up if he’s traded this summer.

Earlier this offseason, he revealed that he’d only waive his no-trade clause to join the Houston Rockets, where he’d join fellow stars and friends Chris Paul and James Harden in one of the most dynamic trios in the entire NBA.

But, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets have been trying to involve other organizations in a multi-team deal, but haven’t been able to do so yet.

“Carmelo Anthony right now, those talks have been fairly dormant between Houston and New York, Woj said on ESPN. “The Rockets have tried to find third, fourth teams to help facilitate a deal with Carmelo Anthony. They haven’t been able to do that… Both sides are prepared for the fact that Melo may have to go to camp with the Knicks.”

According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, the Cleveland Cavaliers, New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder have all expressed interest in Melo, but he has not even entertained the thought of joining those teams, instead staying focused on Houston.

Interestingly, if Anthony ends up staying put in New York, the Knicks have a solid shot at making the playoffs in a wide-open Eastern Conference. Since two teams (the Cavaliers and Boston Celtics) appear to be the teams to beat at the top of the conference and a plethora of talent has moved to the Western Conference this summer, the Knicks have as good a shot as anyone else to make a run.

Along with Melo, rookie Frank Ntilikina, free agent signee Tim Hardaway Jr, Kristaps Porzingis and Willy Hernangomez would likely round out the starting five with Courtney Lee, Joakim Noah, Kyle O’Quinn, Michael Beasley and Ramon Sessions making an impact off the bench.

Therefore, while the Knicks likely want to move forward without Carmelo, there’s a chance that he could return to the dominant player that he was before the Phil Jackson era forced the triangle in New York. Since the Western Conference is stacked, it would undoubtedly be an easier path to the playoffs and to the Finals in the East, which clearly is a major reason why he might want to stay put.

To make matters hilariously awkward, the Knicks are slated to play host to the Rockets in the preseason on October 9.