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New York Knicks: The case for and against bringing Carmelo Anthony back

By Evan Desai

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 01: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Carmelo Anthony #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers in action against RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 01, 2020 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Trail Blazers 117-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 01: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Carmelo Anthony #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers in action against RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 01, 2020 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Trail Blazers 117-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks
Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Pros of Bringing Anthony Back

The price is right

Melo signed with his current Portland Trailblazers for a veteran’s minimum contract He’s making under $2.2 million this year. That’s objectively a bargain for someone who’s averaging 15.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Not to mention, Anthony is still deadly behind the arc, shooting 37.1 percent.

He’s started in all 50 games played, and if the Knicks could get him on another veteran’s minimum deal, that’s a ton of value for a guy who would be a starter in New York as well.

He knows how to deal with New York

Even while the New York Knicks failed in giving him a situation where he could go deep in the playoffs, Melo always handled the bright lights and loud crowds of MSG very well. He never quit or gave any negative energy or attention to the team.

Anthony is the ultimate professional and would help the team’s image, from that point of view. He could also mentor the young players on this team in achieving the same type of relationship with the city. That leads to the next advantage of his return.

Leadership ability

There were never questions about the type of leader Anthony was in New York. Many times he carried the team’s weight on his shoulders.

His ability to handle New York was mentioned prior, but it was his leadership in general, which was most impressive.  He was by far the best player and the leader of his team every season, and he held that accountability throughout his entire tenure here.

Chris Paul connections

Leon Rose is also a former agent of another future Hall of Famer, point guard, Chris Paul. With Dwayne Wade retired, the full “Banana Boat” squad is impossible to assemble in New York, and the chance of LeBron James coming to the Knicks is pretty much nonexistent.

However, something is better than nothing, and there are now trade rumors surrounding Paul and the New York Knicks. CP3 is still an All-Star. While concerns of his older age are valid, the Knicks can’t just keep tanking with nothing to show for it. So far, that strategy resulted in them whiffing on all the big-time free agents this offseason, as well as getting humiliated with the product they put on the court yet again this year.

The Knicks would be a much better basketball team if they signed Paul. If one comes to the Garden, the other may very well lobby to do the same. Regardless of either getting up there in age, the two of them together would be a very nice combo.

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