Knicks Rumors: Latest Trade Whispers Surrounding Carmelo Anthony and More
Someday, the New York Knicks will be competitive again, but it’s not going to happen with the roster as it is currently constructed.
For all the excitement that surrounded the team during the offseason when Carmelo Anthony re-signed and Phil Jackson took over as team president, the losing is beginning to take its toll. Sure, there have been close losses, but New York looks overmatched almost every time it takes the floor.
Since changes are inevitable with these struggles, there are bound to be some rumors circulating around the Knicks as the season trudges toward the trade deadline. With that in mind, here is a look at the latest whispers from New York.
Carmelo Anthony
Marc Berman of the New York Post passed along an update on Anthony:
"Sources told The Post the All-Star forward would be open to dropping his no-trade clause if team president Phil Jackson strikes a deal with a team Anthony would like to play for. … 'He thought things would be better than this, but he still wants to stick it out for now,' a source said. 'He trusts Phil, but I think he’s afraid of Phil.'
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Anthony signed a five-year, $124 million deal during the offseason, but he likely didn’t envision a 5-21 start to the season. It would be understandable if Anthony was frustrated at this point and responded accordingly by giving up his no-trade clause.
Berman also alluded to the fact that the Chicago Bulls would make some sense as a possible trade partner, especially since they went after Anthony in the offseason.
On paper, Chicago has plenty of talent and could slide Anthony right into the small forward spot of the starting lineup alongside Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler, Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah. That is a ridiculous starting five, and Chicago would still have the likes of Taj Gibson, Mike Dunleavy and company coming off the bench.
Alas, that seems like a pipe dream for Bulls fans (and perhaps Anthony) now, especially given Anthony’s response to the possible trade rumors, via Mike Lupica of the New York Daily News:
"Come on, man. After all the work I did to get here and get back here? If I was to get up and want to leave now that would just make me weak, make me have a weak mind. I’ve never been a person to try to run from any adversity or anything like that so I’m not going to pick today to do that.
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While that is admirable from Anthony, he is also 30 years old, and this is already a lost season.
Sure, the Knicks will have cap room next season, but how many elite free agents are lining up to play alongside an aging Anthony on this poor of a team?
Anthony’s best chance at ever winning a ring is getting traded.
Rest of the Team
Bleacher Report’s NBA senior writer Howard Beck provided an update on the plans for the rest of the Knicks:
“The Knicks will probably keep Carmelo Anthony for now. But rival executives say that everyone else at the Garden is available, possibly even the ball boys. J.R. Smith is the most likely to be exiled, if the Knicks can find a taker.”
This really shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. New York is not only going to miss the playoffs this season, it won’t even sniff the No. 8 seed in the watered-down Eastern Conference.
It is clearly time to rebuild, and there is not exactly anyone on the roster outside of Anthony who feels necessary for a quick fix. Trading veterans like J.R. Smith gives the Knicks a chance to acquire young assets from contenders that are in win-now mode and looking to make a move.
More importantly, a trade could present an opportunity to land some draft considerations, which is the surest way to stockpile young talent in the NBA. There are plenty of enticing college players who could turn the Knicks around with the right surrounding pieces in the next couple of years (Jahlil Okafor comes to mind).
Don’t be surprised when the Knicks are very active between now and the trade deadline.
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