Knicks: Carmelo Anthony to Anchor Free Agent Recruitment
The New York Knicks have a franchise player who’s ready and willing to recruit free agents in 2016. Can Carmelo Anthony lure top talent to New York?
The New York Knicks built the foundation for a strong roster during the summer of 2015. Phil Jackson and company selected Kristaps Porzingis at No. 4 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, signed Robin Lopez to a long-term deal, and traded to acquire first-year point guard Jerian Grant.
In 2016, New York will have a more significant task to achieve: acquiring the talent necessary to become contender again.
At the heart of that pursuit will be franchise player and nine-time All-Star Carmelo Anthony. The 31-year-old has committed the final years of his prime to the Knicks, and while 2015-16 doesn’t paint the most promising picture, the future can be improved by an active and successful effort in free agency.
According to a report via ESPN, Anthony wants to anchor the Knicks’ efforts in free agency.
"“Put me at the head of the table, and let’s go to work,” Anthony told reporters after the Knicks’ practice Monday in Denver.“If we want this team to be better, if we want more pieces of this team, I don’t have a choice but to go out there and do my job and try to get people to come,” he said. “And for them to see it from my perspective [more] than anybody else’s perspective — see it from a player’s perspective.”"
If Phil Jackson can’t, then the face of the franchise must come through and convince players that New York is still an appealing free agency destination.
New York has its fair share of question marks, and that’s never a good thing entering free agency. No one knows who will coach the Knicks in 2016-17, as interim head coach Kurt Rambis is unlikely to shake the interim tag at season’s end.
Deciding upon his replacement will be the first step towards New York becoming a legitimate option for the top free agents.
Regardless of who is named head coach, every target must be interested in playing with Anthony. He’s under contract for three more seasons, has a no-trade clause, and, regardless of what transpires in free agency, will either have or rival the biggest contract of any player on the roster.
Unless Anthony is able to sell players on playing with him, the New York market and The Zen Master’s 13 rings will only count for so much.
As for the notion that top point guards don’t want to play in the Triangle Offense—the words of former NBA champion and Finals MVP Chauncey Billups—Anthony disputed that theory.
"“Some of the keys of our offense is penetration, getting in the paint, pushing the pace, transition, creating in the paint for bigs, for yourself, everybody else,” Anthony said. “I think a point guard would love that, especially a point guard who can penetrate, create for yourself, create for others. I think it’s a perfect opportunity for [Rajon Rondo].”"
The Triangle Offense has never tailored to the needs of a point guard, but in the modern era, that might change.
Whether it’s Rajon Rondo, Mike Conley, Brandon Jennings, or another pending free agent, New York is expected to be active in its pursuit of a new point guard. Anthony being able to convince said players that they can thrive in the Triangle Offense will be a key to New York’s success and failure in doing so.
Between Anthony and Jackson, New York certainly has the star power to attract attention.
More knicks: The New York Knicks have signed Tony Wroten to a multi-year deal
The question is, can the Knicks do in 2016 what they failed to do in 2015: close the deal?