Knicks Trade Rumors: Five reasons to keep Carmelo Anthony

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 18: Jimmy Butler #21 of the Chicago Bulls talks with DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Toronto Raptors during practice for the 2017 NBA All-Star Game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on February 18, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

3. A Weakened Eastern Conference

One could argue that the only one Eastern Conference team became stronger through free agency. That team, the Boston Celtics, signed Gordon Hayward to build upon already being the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.

With Jimmy Butler and Paul George traded out West, it stands to reason that the bottom of the postseason standings will be up for grabs with Chicago and Indiana likely to decline.

With a realistic opportunity to make a run at a postseason appearance in 2017-18, the New York Knicks could keep Carmelo Anthony on the roster. Anthony gives New York its best chance to win now, and it has an open window to do so.

If the Knicks were to even finish the 2016-17 season at .500, it stands to reason that Jeff Hornacek could make his first postseason appearance as a coach.

By making the playoffs, the Knicks would create early exposure for its core players: Willy Hernangomez, Frank Ntilikina, and Kristaps Porzingis. No one knows how ready they are until they make it, and a trip to the postseason would help the young players grow.

The question is: Would it be worth making a run to the playoffs with Anthony’s closing window and a lack of the necessary talent to compete for a championship?

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