Pro: He Wants To Be Here
This may not seem important to outsiders, but true fans of the New York Knicks know how significant this is. Carmelo Anthony has been through the ringer in New York, yet he still wants to be a member of the Knicks.
For an organization that’s had trouble garnering interest from free agents, the fact that Anthony actually wants to be here is undeniably appealing.
Anthony is a star-caliber player and household name who could fit into a Big Three and help a team win a championship. He may or may not be talented enough to be the No. 1 player on a championship team, but he’s as respected as any player in the NBA.
Players of his status and notoriety rarely want to play for the Knicks, which has proven true both during the Phil Jackson era and before it.
The fact that Anthony is sticking it out through this recent fiasco could influence a high-profile free agent to overlook recent transgressions. Anthony has clout in NBA circle. Now that he and Jackson have made their union official, they should team up in recruiting free agents.
Anthony and the Knicks will be together for at least one more season. The fact that he wants to be here should put the rumors to rest and limit the distractions.