Carmelo Anthony Told Phil Jackson He Wants To Stay With New York Knicks
New York Knicks team president Phil Jackson finally met face to face with Carmelo Anthony. The topic of conversation: the future of the Knicks.
The New York Knicks have endured an unnecessary amount of drama over the course of the past few weeks. Not only is New York losing at a horrifically poor rate, but its franchise player has been involved in consistent trade speculation.
On Tuesday, Jan. 17, team president Phil Jackson and franchise player Carmelo Anthony finally met to discuss the future of Knicks basketball.
Anthony is a 32-year-old small forward on an 18-24 Knicks team that’s lost 11 of its past 13 games. He’s remained publicly committed to New York, but speculation exists that Jackson doesn’t see him in his long-term vision.
According to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, the two biggest names on the New York basketball scene finally met face to face.
Phil Jackson met with Carmelo Anthony today and asked him if he wanted to remain with the Knicks, sources told ESPN.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) January 17, 2017
Per Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, Anthony maintained the stance that he wants to continue playing for the Knicks.
Carmelo Anthony reaffirmed his desire to stay with Knicks in meeting with Phil Jackson today, league source tells @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 17, 2017
Woj continued by reporting that Anthony won’t let anyone run him out of town.
There's a reason 'Melo wanted no-trade clause in his contract: He wants to live and play in New York. He won't let Jackson chase him out.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 17, 2017
This conversation was nothing short of necessary for the Knicks’ primary figures to meet and discuss the future.
Charley Rosen of Today’s Fastbreak recently reported that Anthony would waive his no-trade clause if the Knicks were willing to deal him to the Cleveland Cavaliers or Los Angeles Clippers.
Rosen, of course, is Jackson’s confidant, which thus sparked the belief that Rosen was speaking for Jackson in his article.
That inevitably frustrated the $124 million man.
Carmelo: "If they feel like my time in New York is over I guess that’s a conversation we should have."
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) January 15, 2017
Fortunately, Anthony and Jackson have finally met to discuss the future.
Jackson has generally avoided the instant fix in favor of a sustainable form of success. He began that process by drafting Kristaps Porzingis at No. 4 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft—a move that the general public feverishly opposed.
After New York missed the playoffs in 2015-16, however, Jackson expedited the rebuild process in 2016 by trading for Derrick Rose and signing the likes of Courtney Lee and Joakim Noah.
Those moves were intended to appease Anthony and help New York get back to the NBA Playoffs.
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One can only hope that, following their conversation, Anthony and Jackson have resolved their issues and adequately prepared for the future.