New York Knicks: Has Carmelo Anthony Played His Final Game As A Knick?

New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony will sit for the 2016-17 season finale. Has Anthony played his final game as a member of the Knicks?

Carmelo Anthony has been the face of the New York Knicks for the better part of seven seasons. The Brooklyn native took pride in joining the Knicks when few others were willing to, and he’s dedicated himself to playing at a high level in the orange and blue.

Unfortunately, after nearly seven seasons in New York, Anthony may be nearing the end of a once promising era.

New York will play its 2016-17 season finale on Wednesday, April 12 against the Philadelphia 76ers. The 30-51 Knicks have been eliminated from the push for the postseason, but will close out the season at Madison Square Garden.

Unfortunately, Knicks fans won’t be watching Anthony during the regular season finale on April 12.

The question is: has Anthony played his final game with the Knicks?

Anthony, a 14-year NBA veteran, will turn 33 years of age on May 29. He’ll enter the fourth and final guaranteed season of his five-year deal in 2017-18, with a player option for the 2018-19 campaign worth $27,928,140.

Anthony also has a no-trade clause in his contract that permits him to accept or decline any trade package that he’s included in.

The latter statement is what’s become the primary focus in New York City.

Anthony was included in incessant trade rumors in 2016-17, but he ultimately remained a member of the Knicks. The teams he was linked to included the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Clippers.

Anthony doubled down on his desire to play and win in New York, however, and that’s exactly what he committed to at the trade deadline.

True and encouraging as that may be, Anthony is a 33-year-old Hall of Fame-bound player who hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2013. Failing to win a championship is one thing, but not even making it to the playoffs is a different and more difficult pill to swallow.

For a player as competitive as Anthony, it would be difficult to hold it against him if he were to pursue greener pastures.

Anthony made the playoffs in each of his first 10 seasons in the NBA, including a run to the 2009 Western Conference Finals. He led New York to its only Division Title since 1994, as well as its only 50-win season since 2000.

With the streak now at four consecutive seasons without a postseason appearance, it stands to reason that the six-time All-NBA honoree could look to move on this summer.

In response to missing the playoffs in four consecutive seasons, New York is embracing its youth movement. Kristaps Porzingis and Willy Hernangomez appear to be franchise cornerstones whom the Knicks are prepared to build around.

Given the fact that Anthony is 33 years of age, he may not want to stick around and wait for an opportunity to win.

Anthony wouldn’t be quitting on the team if he were to request a trade this coming summer.

Anthony has done enough to be a Hall of Famer, which makes it all the more frustrating for him to be on the outside looking in of the postseason. He wants an opportunity to contend, and based on recent results, the Knicks can’t currently afford that opportunity to him.

Regardless of whom you blame for the Knicks’ inability to win games, it’s the situation they’ve found themselves in.

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One can’t help but wonder if the Carmelo Anthony era has officially come to an end for the New York Knicks.