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New York Knicks: It’s Time For Phil Jackson To Shake Things Up

By Matthew Perez

Jan 7, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek on the sideline reacting to a foul in the second half of the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Indiana Pacers beat the New York Knicks 123-109.Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek on the sideline reacting to a foul in the second half of the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Indiana Pacers beat the New York Knicks 123-109.Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 4, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Richard Jefferson (24) defends New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Richard Jefferson (24) defends New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Trade Carmelo Anthony

Let’s be clear.

The Knicks should trade Carmelo Anthony because the New York Knicks are holding him back, not the other way around. There’s something about the culture of the Knicks that drains you, and leaving the Knicks is sort of like a rebirth for a majority of players.

Zach Randolph, Trevor Ariza, Danilo Gallinari, J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert, and Tim Hardaway Jr. are all players that excelled once leaving the Knicks, just to name a few.

Can you imagine Anthony in a starting lineup with Chris Paul, J.J. Redick, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan?

I would mention the possibility of Anthony in a Cleveland Cavaliers starting lineup, but given LeBron James’ comments last night, it seems like a long shot, at best.

From Anthony’s perspective, he should want to waive his no-trade clause. While I understand his desire to see this through, it’s in his best interest to be traded to a contender if winning a championship is truly what Anthony wants.

For the Knicks, trading a 32-year old-Anthony is the best long-term decision. With Rose’s $21 million coming off the books in the offseason, trading Anthony would free up another $26 million.

In total, that gives Jackson about $47 million in cap space to work with.

Also, trading Anthony would likely end the Knicks’ playoffs hopes. Depending on where the Knicks end the season record-wise, they could be looking at a top-15 draft pick.

If the season ended four days ago, the Knicks would be picking 11th overall.

Considering the Miami Heat are on a winning streak, and the Knicks have lost two games since February 2, the Knicks would be picking at No. 10 if the season ended today.

With most analysts dubbing this upcoming draft “stacked,” it’d be in the Knicks’ best interest to trade Anthony. If the Knicks are losing this often with Anthony, it makes much more sense to lose without him and his $26 million dollar cap hit next season.

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