New York Knicks: Carmelo Anthony Can Still Help The Young Players

For even the most casual fans of the New York Knicks, the headache of Carmelo Anthony trade rumors will make you forget how valuable he can still be.

In case you still haven’t heard, the New York Knicks had a rollercoaster ride of a season. There were early signs of salvageable hope for a watchable season, all of which were lost by January.

Even off-court trade rumors constantly plagued fans’ spirits, along with the players alike.

It should be acknowledged that Carmelo Anthony handled all the turmoil and chaos of the 2016-17 NBA regular with absolute class and a calm demeanor. It should have been enough to shake even the steadiest of hands, and younger players may have come away with great wisdom.

Leave it all out on the court.

The Harsh Reality

Carmelo Anthony continued to play his game and carried a banged up team without much consistent help. Lance Thomas barely played half the season, Kristaps Porzingis missed 16 games, and Derrick Rose missed 18.

According to Basketball-Reference, Carmelo has a 98.2 percent chance of making the Hall of Fame. Anthony is what he is: an offensive player at heart. Critics have always shamed him for his inability to be a two-way forward, and this may be true.

However, his benefits on offense can overweigh his loss on defense.

It’s possible he may sense that changing his style of play for the sake of his career is inevitable. Over his career, he has averaged 36.2 minutes per game, and that’s likely to be an unrealistic figure to maintain going forward.

The body gets older and the body breaks down. Players must make the choice to adapt or retire. Anthony, meanwhile, was quoted as saying he wants to make it to 20 seasons—and he just completed year 14.

If Anthony seems to be doing anything, it’s biding his time and keeping quiet during the offseason. He holds all the cards, and most teams that he’d fit well with have nothing to offer in return in a trade.

That’s especially true if Anthony doesn’t give his stamp of approval.

When looking at the big picture, Anthony will likely stay put in New York and help improve the younger players for the remainder of his contract.

Embracing The Change And How It Can Work

In a league where it constantly feels like win now or bust, the common question with Knicks fans seems to be: Why and how do we win and keep Carmelo Anthony? And do we need a complete rebuild, or a few pieces to compliment Kristaps Porzingis as the key component?

The answers may seem like a stretch to some and common sense to others.

Look no further than the roster that Phil Jackson has given the Knicks to work with. There is no other player present with the skill set or ability to lead. Kristaps Porzingis surely will take the reigns as the star in coming years when given the opportunity.

However, it may not be a stretch for similar ill feelings to grow between him and Phil Jackson, as well.

While Porzingis is only two years into his NBA career and his game is growing in all areas, he still lacks the poise needed in clutch moments. Despite any bad feelings fans may have towards Anthony, it feels safe to say he’s the most reliable player to take the possible game-winning shot in the closing seconds.

How can you deny his reliability in moments like these?

In any case, Anthony also cann’t continue to play the minutes he’s accustomed to playing. This is the most difficult task that seems to be overlooked by many skeptics. He’s the star player, but is also is effective in smaller doses.

Rolling back his minutes by even 10-to-15 percent would pay dividends on energy and pace. The Knicks are not in desperate need of a star, or even top 5 draft pick.

What is essential and needed is a decent supporting cast.

While it may have sounded like a dream come true landing Derrick Rose in New York, having Anthony, Porzingis and Rose on the court all at once often looked chaotic. The three are seemingly an offensive threat, but proved not to be as a collective unit to win close games.

With this puzzle, fans waiting for a Knicks team to emerge with Warriors-esque superstars shouldn’t hold their breath.

Facing The Facts And Moving Forward

While the Knicks are likely to go with one of of the distinguished players at point guard in the 2017 NBA Draft, they have holes to fill. Courtney Lee, despite having three more years on his contract, proved to be average.

With Phil Jackson’s temperament, it’s not unrealistic that he may be pitched as a deal this summer.

While Willy Hernangomez emerged as the possible future at center, Joakim Noah appears to be a complete bust. However, not all is as bad is it may sound, and there has been forward progress.

The Knicks have been acquiring young talent that can compete, despite what their record may show as a team.

Must Read: Evaluating the rumored options at No. 8 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft

If Phil Jackson and Carmelo Anthony could come to a compromise, and both understand the facts that lie in front of them, their legacies may not be tarnished by tearing each other down.

Instead, the legacies of Jackson, Anthony, and the New York Knicks can be strengthened by building each other up.