Knicks president Phil Jackson didn’t mince words when addressing his long-simmering dispute with Carmelo Anthony in a press conference Friday. Making his intentions clear to end their relationship, Jackson said, “I think the direction with our team, he’ll be better off somewhere else.”
The problem is that there’s no easy way for a break-up to occur. Anthony is under contract for $26,243,760 next season and $27,928,140 in 2018/19 with an early termination option. There is also a 15% trade kicker that must be paid by whatever team acquires him, along with a no-trade clause that Anthony can use to block any deal he doesn’t like.
With that in mind, several NBA writers have taken a look at where Anthony might wind up:
- Anthony has three options for the offseason, writes Tom Ziller of SBNation. He can waive the no-trade clause and accept a deal, although Ziller says he shouldn’t feel obligated to do so just because Jackson wants him gone. He can submit a list of teams that he would agree to be traded to, which would presumably include joining friends LeBron James with the Cavaliers, Chris Paul with the Clippers or Dwyane Wade with the Bulls. Or he can make a stand and tell the Knicks that he won’t leave until his contract expires. Ziller favors the last option, noting that Anthony likes being in New York and has earned the power he obtained through the no-trade clause.
- The Cavaliers, Clippers and Celtics, whom the Knicks reportedly contacted about moving Anthony before the February deadline, are listed as possible destinations by The New York Post, along with the Heat and Wizards.
- Miami may have interest in Anthony, according to Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel, who notes that team president Pat Riley pursued the Knicks star in free agency three years ago. With more than $25MM expected to be freed in cap space once the Chris Bosh situation is resolved, Miami could add Anthony with a simple trade, and Winderman suggests Justise Winslow as a possibility. However, that would leave the team unable to re-sign James Johnson and Dion Waiters.
- The Bulls “will steer completely clear of whatever Carmelo does,” predicts Nick Friedell of ESPN.com. In a video posted on CSNChicago.com, Friedell suggests that if Anthony had come to Chicago three seasons ago, Tom Thibideau probably would have been kept as coach and current Knicks Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah would still be with the Bulls.
As a bulls fan, I hope he winds up in Chicago. Butler, Wade, and Melo would make for a truly spectacular train wreck.
Haha yes. If we think the ball stops now, imagine throwing Melo into that mix
the bulls offseason probably hinges on D-Wade. He has a pler option so if he accepts it the Bulls should try to acquire Anthony if he declines it’s probably time to go into a rebuild and deal Butler for those Nets picks the Celtics have
the bulls offseason probably hinges on D-Wade. He has a player option so if he accepts it the Bulls should try to acquire Anthony if he declines it’s probably time to go into a rebuild and deal Butler for those Nets picks the Celtics have
If Tristan doesn’t have a good playoffs I can see the cavs trying to trade him and some other pieces for melo. A line up of Kyrie, bron, melo and love would be unstoppable(offensively).
Honestly, I want to see Melo stay at NY but with Phil staying, he should run away for his sake. Besides drafting Kristaps and Willy Hernangomez, Phil has proven to be about as bad at leading the team as Isiah Thomas.
I don’t want him in Miami. Justice has a good up said and many years ahead of him, and Melo has two. His contract would block the team from crucial contracts. it’s not worth losing three players for Carmelo. I like him, but it’s just not worth it.
The Knicks will be worth following when both Melo and Jackson are gone…so 2 years to go. Maybe they can draft well in the interim and in 3 years get a GM who knows how to Build and run a team. Hope Porzingis sticks around that long. Jackson is in way over his head and Melo is a self centered, past his prime 6th man.