New York Knicks: Should The Knicks Tank The Rest Of The NBA Season?
The Trade
The Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly interest in trading for Carmelo Anthony. That could be intriguing, but the proposed package wouldn’t include Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, or Chris Paul.
As of right now, the trade would send Anthony to Los Angeles and Austin Rivers to the New York Knicks. However, to make this trade work, Clippers also have to unload Jamal Crawford’s contract, which Jackson has declined.
Knicks and Clippers seeking 3rd trade partner in potential Carmelo deal, per @ESPNSteinLine and @ramonashelburne: https://t.co/Gcc8KIGRao
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) January 27, 2017
Some fans in New York think Rivers is enough of a return to ship off Anthony.
I am not one of those people.
Fans are fine trading Anthony, who just scored 45 points in 46 minutes on 50 percent shooting, for a backup point guard who would be joining a roster that already has five guards?
Granted, if the Knicks get a third team involved, it may or may not increase the value of the return.
Until then, we must work with the reports we have at our disposal, and to dispose of Anthony for Rivers would be a bitter pill to swallow.
Unless you get some combination of high pick, young player(s) and/or cap relief I'm not trading Carmelo. Do a real rebuild, not half-ass it.
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) January 26, 2017
The Knicks only have Rose until the end of the season, so why not make a playoff push? If things don’t work out, the Knicks can reasses the rebuild this offseason.
With Rose and Jennings off the books, Jackson will have more cap flexibility. If the Knicks miss the playoffs this season, Jackson won’t need to push Anthony out of New York.
He’ll likely leave.
At that point, Jackson can reach out to contending teams and work out another trade. Besides, ever since the trade rumors have began, Anthony has been on a tear.
At the very least, Anthony increases his trade value heading into the offseason.