New York Knicks: Will Leon Rose bring Carmelo Anthony back to the Garden?

Leon Rose is now officially the New York Knicks President of Basketball Operations. Rumors swirl around whether or not he will bring his former client, Carmelo Anthony, back to the Garden. If so, will it be good for the Knicks’ young core?

Rumors flowed before Leon Rose had even signed his contract on the dotted line. Carmelo Anthony could be returning to finish his career as a member of the New York Knicks. What good could come from Carmelo Anthony returning to the team that wanted him, until it didn’t?

Leon Rose had been Carmelo Anthony’s agent from 2009 until he became Knicks president earlier this week. Rose was the one who brokered the Carmelo to Knicks trade back in 2011. He was also the broker behind the LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh trio in Miami.

No one is denying that Rose is good and in some opinions great at being an agent. He at one time was one of Forbes’ “most powerful agents in sports.” But Rose is in new territory as the president of a basketball organization. More importantly, a basketball organization as dysfunctional as the New York Knicks.

In speaking on Leon Rose going to New York, Anthony told Newsday’s Al Iannazzone last month that he felt Rose was built for this,

"Player relations, he’s very big on that. Deal making, very big on that. Communicating. Knowing personnel. He’s been in this game for a long time. He’s represented the best of the best in this game. He knows. He’s made deals. That’s just what he does. He’s good at running his organization and his own business.If I know him the way I think I know him, he’s going to take his time slow walking as far as right now. He’s going to get in there, he’s going to feel everything out, he’s going to talk to people. He’s going to get his feet wet. In the offseason is where he’s going to get it going.More from New York KnicksNew York Knicks Fall to Eighth After NBA Draft LotteryNew York Knicks: Players to Draft in Worst-Case Lottery ScenarioNew York Knicks: Three Players Who Should Thrive Under Tom ThibodeauIs Devin Booker to the New York Knicks Realistic?New York Knicks: Tom Thibodeau Officially Hired as Head Coach"

What effect would bringing in the 36-year-old have on the young core of New York Knicks players? He could provide the team with guidance and experience. They have a slew of first-round picks coming and a crop of very young forwards. As long as ‘Melo doesn’t demand the ball, he can be a very effective mentor.

There are some vets the Knicks could get rid of to make room for Anthony’s return. Thanks to the one and done contracts that were given out last July that will be easy. Others, such as Julius Randle, Kevin Knox II, Allonzo Trier, and Damyean Dotson, would learn so much from one of the game’s greatest players.

On whether he would come back to New York, Anthony left the door open saying,

"It’s hard to say because I don’t know what that situation is going to be. The easiest thing to say is, ‘His agent is there, he’s coming back.’ Until I sit down and see the whole plan, I don’t know."

Will New York fans even be welcoming? Well, this writer knows that it would  be great to hear the announcer again say “Three-point ball, Carmelo An-thonyeee!”