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Carmelo Anthony Tells Phil Jackson He Wants To Remain A Knick

January 17th, 2017 at 3:02pm CST by Luke Adams

The previously-reported meeting between Carmelo Anthony and Knicks president Phil Jackson took place on Tuesday, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com. Sources close to the situation inform Shelburne that Jackson asked Anthony during the sit-down if he wants to remain with the Knicks. And according to Frank Isola of The New York Daily News (Twitter link), Anthony told Jackson that he does indeed want to stick with the club.

One source who spoke to Shelburne described today’s meeting as “far more contentious” than previous sit-downs between Anthony and Jackson, though Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical (Twitter link) hears from a source that the meeting was “calm” and “business-like.”

Shelburne’s story suggests that, while no specific trades were discussed, the two sides left the meeting intending to take some time to think about the situation. However, as Isola reports (via Twitter), Anthony’s response to Jackson’s inquiry today echoed what he has been saying to reporters this week — he prefers to remain a Knick, and wants to win with the franchise.

Anthony is one of just three players who has a formal no-trade clause written into his contract, so any deal that sends him out of New York would require his approval. A substantial salary and a 15% trade kicker would make it hard for the Knicks to find a match, but assuming Jackson and the front office accept Melo’s preference to remain in New York, it doesn’t sound as if the team will need to explore the trade market anyway.

This week’s drama in New York stemmed from a column by Charley Rosen of FanRag. Rosen, a longtime Jackson confidant, was extremely critical of Anthony, writing that the forward’s legs are “going, going, almost gone,” and adding that the nine-time All-Star has “outlived his usefulness” in New York. While Rosen clarified that those were his views alone, and didn’t come from Jackson, the close relationship between the two created some uncertainty for Anthony, necessitating today’s meeting.

Carmelo Anthony To Meet With Phil Jackson

January 17th, 2017 at 8:52am CST by Luke Adams

After hinting on Sunday that a meeting with the Knicks’ brass might be useful, Carmelo Anthony will get that meeting this week, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com. Sources tell Shelburne that Knicks president Phil Jackson intends to meet with Anthony within the next few days to discuss the forward’s feelings toward the organization.

This week’s drama in New York stemmed from a column by Charley Rosen of FanRag. Rosen, a longtime Jackson confidant, was extremely critical of Anthony, writing that the forward’s legs are “going, going, almost gone,” and adding that the nine-time All-Star has “outlived his usefulness” in New York. While Rosen clarified that those were his views alone, and didn’t come from Jackson, the close relationship between the two created some uncertainty for Anthony, necessitating a meeting.

Anthony has indicated that he hasn’t thought at all about waiving his no-trade clause to go to another team, telling reporters on Monday that he wants to remain with the Knicks. So, unless Jackson has other ideas, the two sides will likely make an effort to mend fences during this week’s meeting.

Here are a few more notes out of New York:

Although Jackson will speak to Anthony in the wake of Rosen’s column, head coach Jeff Hornacek said on Monday that he doesn’t feel the need to talk to his forward about it, per Al Iannazzone of Newsday (Twitter link).
Speaking of Hornacek, he made some interesting changes to the Knicks’ starting lineup on Monday, including plugging Ron Baker in at shooting guard in place of Courtney Lee. Lee, who signed a lucrative four-year deal with the Knicks in the offseason, posted pictures from the movie Dumb and Dumber on his Instagram account shortly after being benched, as Fred Kerber of The New York Post details. Lee quickly deleted those posts and explained in a subsequent message that he didn’t intend to criticize the coaches, the rotation, or the lineup change.
While Lee backed off his apparent criticism, Brandon Jennings didn’t hold back after Monday’s game, per Marc Berman of The New York Post. Asked about the lineup change, Jennings said that players “don’t know what’s going to happen” with the rotation when they show up for a given game. “Every day is something new,” Jennings said. “There’s kind of no consistency. It’s tough.”

Carmelo Wants To Stay With Knicks; Lee Removed From Starting Lineup

January 16th, 2017 at 4:59pm CST by Milo Taibi

Carmelo Anthony followed up today on recent remarks about his situation in New York, telling reporters, including Mike Vorkunov, that he hasn’t spoken to management and hopes to remain with the Knicks. It’s been a slog for Jeff Hornacek‘s squad, as a myriad of on-and-off the court issues have resulted in a 2-11 record since December 25. Following a matinee loss to the Hawks at MSG, the Knicks slipped to 11th-place in the Eastern Conference; a far cry from expectations entering the season.

The Knicks aren’t guaranteeing court time for veterans during their swoon, recently replacing Courtney Lee in the lineup with undrafted rookie Ron Baker. Lee, who signed a $50MM deal during the offseason, has shot just 17.6% on 3-pointers over his last five games. “You’re looking for little things. Who is going to do the little things on this team? Who is going to take charges? Who is going to make the extra pass?” Hornacek told Stefan Bondy of the Daily News. The first-year Knicks coach also requested his team take more charges.

Carmelo Anthony Discusses No-Trade Clause, Knicks

January 16th, 2017 at 8:57am CST by Luke Adams

As we noted last night, Sunday was another interesting day for the Knicks, as Carmelo Anthony faced questions about his future with the team and his potential willingness to waive his no-trade clause. The latest round of speculation was fueled by a column from Charley Rosen of FanRag. Rosen, a longtime Phil Jackson confidant, was extremely critical of Anthony, writing that the forward’s legs are “going, going, almost gone,” and adding that he has “outlived his usefulness” in New York.

Twice during Sunday night’s conversation with the media, Anthony was reminded that the critique came from Rosen, not Jackson. Rosen said in an email to Marc Berman of The New York Post that the opinions in the piece were entirely his, and that he hadn’t spoke at all to Jackson about them. However, as Frank Isola of The New York Daily News writes, the nine-time All-Star “had no trouble connecting the dots.”

Here are a few of Anthony’s notable postgame comments, via Isola and Berman:

On the idea that he has “outlived his usefulness” in New York:

“If that’s the case, if that’s where it’s coming from that side, I guess it’s a conversation we should have. If they feel my time in New York is over, I guess that’s a conversation we should have.

“Listen, if that’s how they feel, if that’s coming from that side, then that’s what’s coming from that side. I haven’t thought once about that. I hear it, hear all the rhetoric going on out there. I still come to work every day, play and bust my ass, and try not worry about it.”

On the fact that some media and fans have speculated about him waiving his no-trade clause:

“They want me out? People can have their own opinion, but I haven’t spoken about it. I haven’t mentioned it, not once. That’s been the trend when you start losing. … I think I posted that (on Instagram) the other day. When we lose, it’s me. When we win, it’s us. That’s how I feel. It is what it is.”

On whether he would waive his no-trade clause:

“I’ve never even thought about that. Like you said, I guess there’s people talking about it. I don’t know … it’s not something that I’ve thought about so far.”

On the Knicks’ poor performance so far this season:

“It’s a disappointment, but what can we do other than try to change it at this point? I don’t feel like the season is slipping away, but it doesn’t feel like an average slump either, because we’re much better than what we’re putting out on the court.”

Community Shootaround: Melo Drama

January 15th, 2017 at 10:05pm CST by Austin Kent

The power struggle in New York grows more hostile by the day but eventually one of either Phil Jackson or Carmelo Anthony will get their way. On Sunday, Anthony reiterated that he has no intention of waiving his no-trade clause and suggests that, if Jackson and the Knicks feel his time with the organization should be over, they should have a discussion about it.

Anthony is under contract through the 2018/19 season and can’t be moved without his permission.

The latest uptick in drama surrounding the pair revolves around a story recently published by Charley Rosen of FanRag. Rosen, a close associate of Jackson’s, wrote a scathing column of the team’s superstar.

What we want to know is what readers think of the developing, hostile situation. Should Anthony feel obligated to waive his no-trade clause if a deal would help the franchise? Is Jackson wildly out of line speaking through his supposed confidant or the media making too much of their affiliation to each other?

Weigh in below!

Anthony Won't Waive No-Trade Clause; Thomas Suffers Orbital Fracture

January 15th, 2017 at 6:20pm CST by Austin Kent

The Knicks suffered a disappointing loss in Toronto on Sunday, at one point down 38 points. It was a fitting end to a chaotic week. To the chagrin of those looking for a drastic roster moves in the Big Apple, New York Daily News writer Frank Isola confirmed that Carmelo Anthony has not considered waiving his no-trade clause.

Anthony spoke to the media following the game. Per Isola: “If [the Knicks] feel like my time in New York is over, I guess that’s a conversation we should have.”

With three years left on his contract, Anthony could technically remain with the Knicks until he’s 35 years old. Whether recent events could change things, remains to be seen. If one thing is known, it’s that Anthony won’t be hastily moved without his permission.

After leaving New York’s Sunday matchup, Knicks forward Lance Thomas is said to have suffered a “fracture to a bone in his cheek,” says ESPN’s Ian Begley over Twitter.

Knicks Notes: Anthony, Jackson, Rose, Porzingis

January 14th, 2017 at 6:12pm CST by Arthur Hill

Carmelo Anthony‘s relationship with team president Phil Jackson is getting progressively worse, writes Frank Isola of The New York Daily News. Anthony remains bitter that Jackson refused to interview Tom Thibodeau for the Knicks’ coaching vacancy in May, and was further angered when Jackson stated publicly last month that Anthony was slowing down the triangle offense by holding the ball too long. Anthony reportedly went on a locker-room tirade after Wednesday’s loss to the Sixers, yelling at teammates for losing a 10-point lead in the final 2:30 and for not getting him the ball on the final possession. However, a source tells Isola that Anthony remains unlikely to waive his no-trade clause.

There’s more out of New York:

A 15% trade kicker makes Anthony very difficult to trade if he does give his consent, notes Marc Berman of The New York Post. Even though the Knicks would pay the kicker, it would push his salary cap figure to about $30MM, which would be tough for another team to match in a deal.
Derrick Rose‘s agent, B.J. Armstrong, admits that Rose could have calmed the situation surrounding his absence from Monday’s game by contacting team officials, tweets Ian Begley of ESPN.com. ” I think in looking back, just a simple phone call or a simple text notifying the team to let them know what happened, what he needed to do and take care of with his family situation would clearly have been a thing he needed to do,” Armstrong said today in an interview with Sirius XM Radio. “He felt that he needed to go home and take care of a family matter … but I think the big thing that is coming from this story is that a simple text, a simple notifying someone from the Knicks to let them know what he needed to do.”
Kristaps Porzingis is hoping to return for Monday’s game after being sidelined by a sore left Achilles, but he doesn’t want to repeat his mistake of playing before the injury is fully healed, relays Fred Kerber of The New York Post. Porzingis started having problems with the Achilles in late December. He sat out three games, returned for four, then missed Thursday’s game with the Bulls and doesn’t expect to play Sunday. “I need to get it 100 percent before I step back on the court again,” Porzingis said. “I need to take my time, calm down a little bit. I’m just too anxious to be out there. I was like, ‘You got to let me go, you got to let me go.’ But we have a tough schedule ahead of us. I want to be back as soon as possible. But at the same time, I want to make sure I’m healthy and that I can be 100 percent for the team.”

Noah Finally Thriving In New York

January 14th, 2017 at 9:54am CST by Austin Kent

It may have taken a while to work into a good routine with the Knicks but Joakim Noah is playing his best basketball of the season, writes Marc Berman of the New York Post. Over the course of the last 11 contests, the 31-year-old is averaging 8.0 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.

Helping to light a fire under Noah, it seems, have been match ups with his former team. The Knicks center has posted averages of 14.0 points and 12.0 rebounds per in two games against the Bulls, most recently on Thursday night.

Though Noah continues to nurse a sore shoulder, his ability to contribute will play a factor in whether the Knicks decide to be buyers or sellers at the deadline.

Knicks Notes: Rose, Porzingis, Anthony

January 13th, 2017 at 8:05pm CST by Luke Adams

When I asked Hoops Rumors readers on Thursday how long you expect Derrick Rose to remain a Knick, only about 15% of you said that he’d remain with the franchise beyond the end of the 2016/17 season. However, in the wake of a Monday incident in which he was unexpectedly absent from a game, Rose tells Michael Lee of The Vertical that he still wants to re-sign with the Knicks, and thinks the team has accepted his explanation for the absence.

“When I was in the room, I felt like they understood where I was coming from,” Rose said. “I hope one incident didn’t change their mind. Who knows? This is a business. If it was to happen, I still would want to play the way I normally know how to play wherever I’m at.”

While it may sound counterintuitive, there are a few reasons why keeping Rose on a long-term deal would be tempting for the Knicks, writes Ian Begley of ESPN.com. As Begley points out, there’s no guarantee that New York would be able to find a better point guard option if the team lets Rose walk. The veteran point guard also received rave reviews from former teammate Taj Gibson, who calls Rose “one of the greatest dudes I’ve ever been around,” adding that the former MVP is “misunderstood” (link via ESPN.com).

As we wait to see how things play out for Rose and the Knicks, here are a few more notes out of New York:

Kristaps Porzingis‘ lingering Achilles issue, which forced him to miss another game on Thursday, is becoming a problem for the Knicks, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post.
In a piece for ESPN.com, several writers, including Begley, Ohm Youngmisuk, and Kevin Pelton, debate the Knicks’ trade options, discussing whether the team should be a buyer or seller, and whether Rose and/or Carmelo Anthony could be moved.
Did Phil Jackson‘s offseason moves make the Knicks a better team? A month ago, the answer would have been yes, but it’s not so clear anymore, Begley writes in another ESPN.com piece. As Begley notes, New York actually had a .500 record through 40 games last season. This year, the club is 18-22.

Knicks Rumors: Rose, Anthony, Gaines Jr.

January 12th, 2017 at 10:46pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Knicks point guard Derrick Rose shot down a rumor that he mulled retirement during his one-game absence from the team on Monday, Marc Berman of the New York Post reports. “That’s something I don’t even want to speak into existence by commenting on it,’’ Rose told Berman. “I don’t know who would do that. Not at all. I was with my family.’’ Rose was fined $193,848, or 1/110th of his salary, for missing the game without giving the club prior notice. Rose claimed he went to Chicago to visit his mother for what he called a family crisis, though there are indications he went there to see his son, Berman adds.

In other developments surrounding the club:

The hurdles that must be cleared to trade Carmelo Anthony prevents the Knicks from rebuilding with younger players like the Sixers are doing, Fred Kerber of the New York Post argues. Finding a trade partner willing to take on the final two years of Anthony’s contract will be nearly impossible, Kerber notes — not only would a potential trade partner have to commit to $54MM+ in salary over the next two years, but a 15% trade kicker would force that team to cough up another $10MM. On top of that, Anthony would have to waive his no-trade provision, Kerber adds.
Rose hopes his one-game absence doesn’t affect the club’s feelings toward him when he enters free agency this summer, as he relayed to Ian Begley of ESPN.com. “I hope one incident didn’t change their minds,” he said. “Who knows? This is a business and if it was to happen I’m still going to play the way I normally know how to play no matter where I’m at.”
The Knicks have not gotten any better defensively under first-year coach Jeff Hornacek, one of several reasons why the team will only get worse, Berman opines in a separate piece. Berman cites the Rose drama and Kristaps Porzingis‘ recent struggles with a sore Achilles as two other factors in the team’s continuing demise.
The rising influence of Clarence Gaines Jr. is the main reason why the team chose forward Maurice Ndour over point guard Chasson Randle on the opening-day roster, Berman writes in still another piece, citing a source. Gaines was promoted from an advisory role to vice president of player personnel under president Phil Jackson. Randle signed a 10-day contract with the Sixers on Monday after a strong D-League showing.