Is Carmelo Anthony happy with the New York Knicks? Is he preparing to request a trade after the team failed to acquire one of the big-name free agents during the summer of 2015?
Rather than posing hypotheticals, that question could’ve been posed to ‘Melo himself. He would’ve happily offered up an answer.
That much was proven at a recent Team USA practice.
According to Chris Herring of The Wall Street Journal, Anthony wishes that the Knicks would have landed a star. That would’ve inevitably given New York a better shot at winning it all in 2015-16.
Nevertheless, he believes Phil Jackson and company did a great job in free agency.
Melo: "I thought we did a great job this summer." Said he obviously wanted NY to get another star in FA, but says team made solid additions
— Chris Herring (@Herring_NBA) August 11, 2015
The question is, how far can Anthony take those solid additions in 2015-16?
New York’s most noteworthy acquisitions were shooting guard Arron Afflalo and center Robin Lopez. Afflalo is a sharpshooter who played with Anthony on the Denver Nuggets, and Lopez is a two-way player who provides steady contributions on both ends.
Afflalo and Lopez were also teammates in 2015 with the Portland Trail Blazers.
New York also added Kristaps Porzingis and Jerian Grant through the 2015 NBA Draft. Porzingis has limitless potential at power forward and Grant has every tool to be successful at point guard, albeit with the inevitable bust potential of an incoming rookie.
Recent signee Kevin Seraphin has similarly intriguing upside as a 25-year-old who plays both sides of the floor.
Coupled with the likes of Jose Calderon, Langston Galloway, Kyle O’Quinn and Derrick Williams, New York should be a much better team in 2015-16 than it was in 2014-15. It’s hard to imagine it failing to win more than 17 games with ‘Melo.
That roster may not add up to the Knicks being a championship contender, but Anthony scoffed at the idea that he’s unhappy with how New York handled itself in free agency.
Melo said he was bothered by the perception that he's not happy with construction of NYK. "I haven't said any of that." Says its all false
— Chris Herring (@Herring_NBA) August 11, 2015
Per Ethan J. Skolnick of Bleacher Report, ‘Melo expounded upon the thought:
On reports that he was unhappy with Knicks direction, Carmelo Anthony says: "nobody talked to me. Life is too short to be unhappy."
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) August 11, 2015
Anthony has recently become quite vocal in his support for the organization.
Anthony took to Instagram to respond to a critic in the comments section. He made it clear how happy he is with the Knicks and how thoroughly he supports Jackson’s vision for the organization.
As for Jackson, the team president believes that Anthony can be New York’s Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan. That will be put to the test as soon as 2015-16.
Until then, ask Anthony about his feelings towards the Knicks. Chances are, he’ll answer your questions better than a rumor mill ever could.
Next: 'Melo to Knicks fan: 'You're stuck with me, buddy'
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