Why Carmelo Anthony Should Stay with the Knicks
The New York Knicks are rumored to try and get rid of swingman Carmelo Anthony. It might not be the move they want to make just yet.
"“If there is an opportunity that works for Carmelo and works for us, then we’ll look at some kind of trade. But we also feel that Carmelo could easily be apart of our team next year,” New York Knicks president, Steve Mills said at their latest press conference."
The Knicks have talked about trading the 10-time All-Star since former team president, Phil Jackson brought this to light.
It’s also apparent that the team no longer looks to buy out Anthony’s remaining contract. This leaves two options for the Knicks at this point – keep him or trade him.
It has been made clear that Anthony wants to play for a NBA Finals contender. The Cleveland Cavilers or the Houston Rockets could still be possible for Anthony.
Anthony will only waive his no-trade clause if the Knicks find a suitable destination for the future Hall of Famer.
Any true contender out there can not add Anthony to a roster unless the Knicks bought out his
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contract. Many suitable locations for Anthony do not have the cap space for his contract.
The way many look at this, if there is no buy out then there is no trade.
With the recent addition of Scott Perry as General Manger, the front office made it clear what direction the team is heading.
During Monday’s press conference, Mills and Perry announced that the team is focused on developing their young core.
Names like Kristaps Porzingis, Willy Hernangomez, Frank Ntilikina and Tim Hardaway Jr. will be the focal point for the future of the Knicks. The 33-year-old has been left out of future plans.
If Mills and Perry can’t find a suitable trade that entices Anthony, he will be returning to work at Madison Square Garden come October.
If the Knicks decide to keep Anthony for the next two seasons, how much harm could he bring?
This past season, Anthony managed to average 22.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg and 2.9 apg. This was through 74 games of hell due to a circus of a front office.
Porzingis is without a doubt the focal point for the future of the Knicks. For the time being, Anthony is still the main star on the Knicks roster.
With the exception of Tyson Chandler in 2013, Anthony has been the only All-Star for the Knicks in all seven seasons he has spent in New York.
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It is known that Anthony has had a strong friendship with Hardaway Jr. since he was drafted by the Knicks. It’s also apparent that Porzingis and Hernangomez have struck up great relationships with Anthony as well.
Why not keep Anthony for not only his All-Star stat line he manages to keep up each year, but for his influence he has on the young core?
The newest addition to the Knicks, Ntilikina, could be a great addition if he becomes a better outside shooter.
Will his outside shot improve with the help of working out with a veteran player like Anthony? It defiantly could not hurt the European mystery.