Carmelo Anthony Trade Rumors: 10 Reasons He Should Heed LeBron James’ Advice
LeBron James told Carmelo Anthony over the summer that if he ever wanted to compete against the Miami Heat that he should go to the New York Knicks.
I hate to admit it, but "The King" is right.
Anthony has stated publicly that it is all about going to a team where he can compete for an NBA title immediately. And if this is true, then LeBron's advice to Carmelo hits the hammer dead on the nail.
As of right now, Anthony's destination is unknown. Many believe that he will eventually become a Knick, but we cannot know for sure.
Anthony does hold all the leverage in this situation though. If he wants to truly be a member of the New York Knicks, then he can make it happen.
It is possible that Anthony may be traded to the Knicks, but right now Denver's asking price for him is too high.
LeBron's advice probably was more geared toward Anthony signing with the Knicks as a free-agent so that Carmelo would not be joining a depleted roster.
The only downside for Anthony is that he may have to leave a ton of money on the table. Denver has offered a three-year $65 million extension to Anthony that he has yet to sign.
A new Collective Bargaining Agreement will go into effect after this season and it is supposed to be more owner friendly. This means Anthony may not be able to make as much money if he signs with the Knicks via free-gency.
Despite this possible downside, Carmelo should take LeBron's advice and join the Knicks.
It doesn't matter whether he does it by forcing Denver to trade him to the Knicks for next to nothing, or by waiting to sign with New York via free-agency.
Anyway you look at it, the same conclusion is drawn: Anthony should heed LeBron's advice and make sure he becomes a Knick.
And here's the top ten reasons why.
No. 10: It's Time For Carmelo to Come Home
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Carmelo has publicly acknowledged that playing for the Knicks is his "ultimate dream."
It's time he made that dream come true.
Anthony, a native of Brooklyn, has the chance to return home. He has the opportunity to win a championship for his hometown team.
He shouldn't pass this up.
When LeBron left Cleveland, he was leaving his hometown and becoming public enemy number one.
Anthony has a chance to return home and become a savior. He would give Amar'e the superstar teammate that both Stoudemire and Anthony both need to compete for a championship.
Joining the Knicks gives Carmelo the chance to return to his roots. He can play for the team he grew up cheering for.
The reasoning for listening to LeBron's advice is simple on this side of the spectrum: Carmelo has a chance to live his ultimate dream.
And fulfill those of Knicks fans.
No. 9: Carmelo Would Thrive in Mike D'Antoni's Offensive System
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We all know that Mike D'Antoni's system is offense oriented.
Although his team could stand to focus on defense once in awhile that is a debate for a different time.
Much like D'Antoni, Carmelo is very offense oriented. He thrives in transition and loves to take the quick shot.
In Denver, Coach George Karl's system is effective, but not as fast paced. Carmelo's potential is not maximized because the Nuggets do not push the floor as much.
It would be a different story in New York.
Carmelo would probably have the opportunity to get more shots, even with Amar'e being the first option. He would simply thrive in this offensive system and look like even more of a superstar.
Anthony has a chance to enter a system that would play to all of his strengths. Joining the Knicks will maximize his skills and make opposing teams cringe at the thought of having to try and defend him night in and night out.
Playing for New York, Anthony would be able to show the rest of the league what he is really capable of.
Carmelo needs to join the Knicks and enter the system that he was born to play in.
No. 8: The New Collective Bargaining Agreement Is Not Set in Stone
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Anthony's best bet is to join the Knicks in a way that does not involve the Knicks depleting too much of their roster to obtain him.
And the best way for this to happen is for Anthony to wait and join the Knicks this summer via free-agency.
However, a new CBA is imminent and if Carmelo waits until free-agency, he could be leaving millions on the table. The new CBA is supposed to cut player salaries substantially.
It must be noted though, that we do not know this for sure. The new CBA may not turn out to be as bad as predicted. Over the summer, the salary cap was supposed to become more brutal, but as it turned out it was better than expected.
We may witness the same result with the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Owners are not going to want a lockout. And it is rumored that a harsh CBA proposal could lead to one. Many believe that this lockout is inevitable.
It is the threat of this lockout that gives hope to Carmelo. Owners will want to avoid the negative financial effects of a lockout, which could mean a better CBA than expected.
With this is mind, Carmelo should roll the dice and wait until free-agency to join the Knicks. This way, he is not entering into a roster that has been depleted of young talent.
Signing Carmelo via free-agency has always been the best case scenario for the Knicks, and it might be best for Carmelo too.
I think LeBron would agree.
So in this case, and this case only, Anthony should think like LeBron.
No. 7: If CBA Is Harsh On Player Salary, Endorsements Can Make Up Difference
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What was one of the main reasons that people thought LeBron would sign with New York?
Endorsements.
As a star athlete on a New York sports organization, there is a ton of money to be had via endorsements. So even if Carmelo waits until free-agency and players salaries are cut, he can make more than the difference back through endorsements.
The general consensus around the league is that Carmelo knows this. So if he does, and the Nuggets and Knicks cannot workout a deal for him before the trade deadline, he can take comfort in knowing his wallet won't take that big of a hit if he heads to New York in free-agency.
Although winning is the biggest concern for Anthony, walking away from the money he is being offered from Denver is also a major concern.
However, that being said, Anthony needs to take solace in the fact that he will not be taking a pay cut to join the Knicks via free-agency.
Think of all the endorsements he will land playing for the Knicks. Think of all the companies that will be after both Anthony and Stoudemire to pose for a giant billboard.
There is a ton of money to be had in endorsements for Anthony if he joins the Knicks.
Carmelo needs to forget about the potential for a harsh CBA and join Amar'e Stoudemire in New York.
No. 6: Like It Or Not LeBron Knows What He Is Talking About
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Many will not believe it, but Anthony may also be reluctant to join the Knicks because of his loyalty to the Nuggets.
Denver drafted Anthony and has been his home for almost eight years now. Up until recently, the fans have embraced Anthony and stood behind him. Most people do not realize how difficult it is for Anthony to just get up and leave Denver.
LeBron knows a little something about this.
He had to make the choice to leave his hometown Cavaliers to join the Heat.
Now, I will be the first to say that LeBron went about his decision to leave Cleveland terribly, but I cannot knock why he did it.
Loyalty can hurt. The team the Cavs were surrounding LeBron with was not going to win an NBA title anytime soon. LeBron wanted to enter a better situation where he was more likely to compete for an NBA title.
Anthony is in the same boat. The Nuggets, as is, are not going to compete for NBA titles anytime soon, and Anthony is concerned about this.
If the Nuggets went out and brought in a superstar or two before the trade deadline, then I think that Anthony would be more apt to stay in Denver.
However, this is not the case. Denver, like the Cavs, has not been able to put the right pieces around their star player to ensure they compete for an NBA title each year.
And unless Carmelo wants to wind up like Kevin Garnett and wait over a decade before he finally cannot take it anymore, he should join the Knicks.
He needs to listen to what LeBron is whispering in his ear, and make sure he becomes a Knick.
No. 5: Anthony Will Never Be Put in The Same Boat As James
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LeBron may know what he is talking about in regards to this situation, but his experience comes in the form of a train wreck.
James left the Cavs for the right reasons, but did it the wrong way. And you better believe that Anthony is worried he will develop a reputation like LeBron's.
Carmelo need not be worried about this though. As long as he avoids nationally televising his free-agency decision, he will not be viewed in a negative light like LeBron was.
Every step of the way, Anthony has stayed in contact with the Nuggets front office. He has communicated to the organization his concerns and has done nothing that they haven't expected.
This makes him different from LeBron already. LeBron left all of Cleveland waiting until the very end. He did not communicate to the Cavs as well as Anthony as with the Nuggets.
Anthony's decision to join the Knicks may upset Denver, but it would not cripple them. There will not be any shock on the Nuggets part.
If the Nuggets decide to gamble and hold on to Anthony for the rest of the season they know the risk they are taking.
So, if Anthony joins the Knicks, his reputation will not be trashed. His jerseys will not be burned and he will not become one of the most despised athletes ever.
He will be viewed as player that did his best to let his team know where his head was. And his decision and principles will be respected, not rejected.
Anthony need not worry about his reputation.
He is nothing like LeBron in this aspect.
No. 4: The Nuggets Are Not Ready to Contend For an NBA Title
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The Denver Nuggets are not winning championships anytime soon.
And this is a big concern of Carmelo's.
When the Nuggets first discovered the concerns of Carmelo and that he wouldn't sign the extension unless he knew the Nuggets were committed to winning a championship, he immediately was on the trading block.
Denver has not attempted to surround Anthony with any more talent since this debacle began. The Nuggets organization has essentially showed Anthony that his concerns were warranted.
When at full-strength, the Nuggets have a very good team. But lets face it, Kenyon Martin and Chauncey Billups have seen their best days already. Nene is a solid player, but he is no all-star. And Chris Anderson is aggressive, but he is injury prone and not that versatile.
Basically, as is, the Nuggets are a second round playoff team at best. And if they wanted Carmelo to stick around, then they would be doing everything in their power to pair him with another star-calibre player.
The fact is, they haven't. Denver has shown no signs that it is committed to winning an NBA title in this day and age.
It takes multiple all-stars now to win a championship, and Denver knows this. If they were truly committed to winning a championship they would have shown Anthony by now.
This doesn't mean they would have had to have gotten another superstar immediately, but the organization could relay to Carmelo that their plan is to go after Chris Paul next season when he becomes available. Or even Dwight Howard.
But they haven't.
If Carmelo wants the best situation possible to contend for a championship, then New York should be his destination. He can team up with Amar'e Stoudemire and fight his way toward a championship.
New York gives Carmelo the superstar partner that he is currently lacking in Denver.
And New York offers Carmelo the superstar partner Denver will never pair him with.
No. 3: The Knicks Have The Perfect Supporting Cast
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As previously stated, the best case scenario for both the Knicks and Carmelo is that he join the team via free-agency.
This way, he can join a roster that has not been depleted and instead, filled with an abundance of young talent.
Carmelo and Stoudemire will form a terrific duo. And they would have a terrific supporting cast to back them up.
The Knicks have a sensational Rookie in Landry Fields. Fields is a ferocious defender and rebounder. And for a Rookie, he is very NBA savvy.
Fields is very intelligent, which isn't a surprise given he attended Stanford University, and rarely makes mistakes on the basketball court. He plays at a level that is way beyond his years and is a reliable shooter.
The Knicks also have Wilson Chandler, who has been generating a lot of buzz this season. Chandler has improved his shot selection and is averaging almost 18 points per game.
Not to mention Chandler has also been considered by some as the next Carmelo Anthony. It could be very enjoyable, not to mention, extremely effective for Anthony to play along side his protege.
The Knicks have a goal to sign both Chandler and Anthony this off-season if they cross that junction. So Anthony can take solace in knowing Chandler will still be there if he joins via free-agency.
Also, Chandler would probably move to the bench if Anthony joins the Knicks, and he would be a sixth man of the year candidate that could adequately take Anthony's spot on the court. Anthony does not have that in Denver.
We must also not overlook that the Knicks have Danilo Gallinari. Gallinari is a very impressive young player who works hard on both ends of the floor.
Gallinari is averaging a little over 15 points per game this season, but he barley takes ten shots a game. When teams surround Stoudemire and Anthony with double teams, Gallo will be able to shoulder the scoring burden.
This is yet another thing Anthony does not have in Denver.
Also, Gallinari has been compared to Dirk Nowitzki. Many believe, myself included, that Gallo could be the next Dirk. I believe that he may even exceed the level of Dirk's play.
Anthony has the opportunity to join a great supporting cast that consists of two young players that have the potential to turn into superstars.
I ask you, why pass this up?
Carmelo needs to seize the moment and listen to LeBron.
It's time he joins the Knicks.
No. 2: Knicks Offer Best Chance To Compete With The Miami Heat
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Like it or not, the Heat are a force to be reckoned with.
If Carmelo stays in Denver or even if he changed his mind and went to New Jersey, he would have no chance to compete with the trio in Miami.
Joining the Knicks on the other hand would be a different story.
The previous slide already noted the strong supporting that the Knicks have, but they also have two premiere players to pair with Anthony.
Amar'e Stoudemire is a given. He plays hard night in and night out and has been a true leader for New York. He has thrived under Mike D'Antoni once again and is becoming a threat on both ends of the floor.
Not to mention he is an MVP candidate. Now why wouldn't Anthony want to play with him?
Anthony and Stoudemire would form quite a tandem that teams would fear every night.
And then we have Raymond Felton to complete the trio.
Felton has really blossomed this season and is putting up similar numbers to Chris Paul of New Orleans. He is averaging just over 17 points per game to go along with 9 assists.
Anthony plays with Billups right now, and as capable as Chauncey is, Felton would be an upgrade. Felton along with Chandler and Gallo would take a lot of pressure off Carmelo on the offensive end.
If Anthony heads to New York via free-agency, the Knick will be able to compete with the Heat on a daily basis. Even if Anthony is traded to the Knicks, at a reasonable price of course, he is still in a much better situation than in Denver.
Carmelo needs to play along side another superstar. And New York offers that.
And combine Stoudemire and Anthony with the likes of Felton and you have the makings of another "big three."
LeBron was right in telling Carmelo that he needed to leave Denver if he wants to compete with the Heat.
Lets just hope that Anthony realizes this too.
No. 1: The Summer Of 2012
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The future of the Knicks is also a positive for Anthony.
In Denver, there does not seem to be a direction that the team is heading. It is a big mystery.
There is no mystery in New York though. Their goal is to form a team to be feared. A team that Miami even has to worry about.
And that is where the summer of 2012 comes in.
Yes, we all know about the toast at Carmelo's wedding given by Chris Paul. He joked that Anthony, Stoudemire and himself would form a "big three" in New York.
This is still possible.
Chris Paul is a free-agent in 2012 and Knicks' President and General Manager Donnie Walsh is a cap-handling genius that can make signing Paul a viable option.
However, Felton is also turning heads and could be a better option than Chris Paul. And if this is the case, the Knicks can shift their focus toward Dwight Howard who is also a free agent.
Imagine a front-court of Howard, Stoudemire and Anthony. If that doesn't make teams shudder, then I do not know what will.
It's obviously not a given and is a long shot, but it remains a possibility. Regardless, the Knicks have the potential to further improve the team even after Anthony joins them.
Anthony cannot pass up this opportunity. He has the chance to join a team that will be able to contend for a championship for years to come.
This is why the summer of 2012 is the number one reason Anthony should join New York.
The summer of 2012 presents endless possibilities for a Knicks team consisting of Stoudemire and Anthony. It presents the chance to form a possible "big four" if they hold on to Felton.
Denver, nor any other team, presents such an opportunity.
LeBron has the right idea and Anthony needs to heed the advice of the self-proclaimed "King of Akron."
Carmelo needs to join the Knicks.
