NEW YORK — Melo, the New York New York Yankees star, says he is not angry with the New Orleans Pelicans for signing free agents Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Eric Gordon.

The Pelicans signed Gordon, a former Oklahoma City Thunder big man, in March and Kidd-gilchrist, a point guard, in July.

But when Gordon signed a five-year, $80 million contract with the Knicks, Melo was irate.

He was so angry with New Orleans that he asked for a trade from New York, Melos agent said.

He said the Knicks were so upset about it that they made a deal with New York instead of trying to sign Gordon.

Melos team has a chance to win the Eastern Conference with a victory in Brooklyn Thursday night.

The Knicks are 6-15 and will face the Brooklyn Nets for the second straight season at Madison Square Garden.

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