New York Knicks: Carmelo Anthony Addresses Los Angeles Rumors
New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony addressed the rumors that he could request a trade to the Los Angeles Clippers or Los Angeles Lakers.
Since 2013-14, Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks have been unsettled partners. Between four consecutive seasons without a postseason appearance, a feud with the team president, and incessant trade rumors, it’s been the most polarizing stretch in franchise history.
Throughout this tumultuous era, one destination has been rumored as a land of clear skies and sunshine: Los Angeles.
In previous seasons, Anthony was tied to the Los Angele Lakers in trade rumors that would have paired him with Kobe Bryant. Since Bryant’s retirement, however, the rumors have linked him to the other team in Southern California: the Los Angeles Clippers.
According to Jovan Buha of ESPN, Anthony hasn’t thought about making the move from New York to one of the Los Angeles basketball teams.
"“No, no. I haven’t thought about it,” Anthony said. “I mean, there was an opportunity during the deadline, and there was always talk over the past couple seasons with me somehow being connected to the Clippers or Lakers.“At first it was the Lakers, and then now it’s the Clippers situation. So I try not to think about that, especially now when I’m still playing with the New York Knicks. I’ve got to go out there and prepare to play against these guys and other teams.”"
Anthony has been a consummate professional throughout what’s been the most trying time of his 14-year NBA career.
Anthony has a no-trade clause, which enables him to either accept or decline any trade he’s included in. The most common belief amongst reporters and analysts is that the teams he’d be willing to accept a trade to are the Cleveland Cavaliers or Clippers.
The obvious appeal is that Anthony’s close friends, LeBron James and Chris Paul, play for Cleveland and Los Angeles, respectively.
True as that may be, Anthony hasn’t exactly been eager to leave New York, no matter the potential destination.
On the heels of a 114-105 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers that dropped New York to 27-43 in 2016-17, the rumors have inevitably resurfaced. The working theory is that New York will attempt to trade Anthony during the 2017 offseason, and it’s plausible that he could sign off on it.
2017-18 will be the final guaranteed season on Anthony’s contract, however, which could be enough to convince him to see this process through before he’s traded.
It’s worth noting that Anthony has a player option worth just under $28 million for the 2018-19 season. If he feels that he’ll be unable to get that type of value as a 34-year-old on the open market in 2018, then he could accept the near $30 million payday.
Regardless of what Anthony choses to do, it’s fair to believe that the trade rumors will persist for as long as New York struggles to win games.
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The question is: will Carmelo Anthony finish out his contract with the New York Knicks?