The New York Knicks are interested in acquiring Rajon Rondo from the Boston Celtics.

The Knicks hope that Rondo will eventually try to force a trade to the Knicks in a way that was similar to Carmelo Anthony in 2011, according to sources.

The Celtics have consistently denied wanting to trade Rondo, but he will have just one guaranteed season remaining on his contract after the deadline.

The Knicks fully expect to re-sign Anthony in the offseason and at the very least have enough cap space in 2015 to sign a max player.

"They're one confident bunch," a league executive said this week. "To listen to them, they expect to have Carmelo re-signed and have another star with him in another year. They're so sure about it you'd think they already know what will happen."