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New York Knicks: Walt Frazier weighs in on Carmelo Anthony trade rumors

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 29: New York Knicks Legends Walt Frazier is seen during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the New York Knicks on October 29, 2016 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 29: New York Knicks Legends Walt Frazier is seen during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the New York Knicks on October 29, 2016 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The New York Knicks are weighing their options on the trade front with Carmelo Anthony. Franchise legend Walt Frazier offered his opinion on the matter.

The New York Knicks have been on the cusp of trading Carmelo Anthony for months on end. Between former team president Phil Jackson and current executives Steve Mills and Scott Perry, the Knicks have made it no secret that Anthony is on the trading block.

Everyone seems to have an opinion about what the Knicks should do, and thus, it comes as no surprise that one of the greatest players in franchise history decided to voice his opinion.

Anthony has spent the past seven seasons in New York, further establishing himself as a future Hall of Famer. The glory of his first three seasons has been overshadowed by the turmoil of the past four years, however, which has resulted in New York finding itself in the current predicament.

According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, franchise legend Walt Frazier weighed in on the trade rumors and offered unique perspective on the matter at hand.

"I think right now there’s too much bad blood. But Melo has to know that this is a business. There’s nothing personal. I told the kids I got traded. I was with the Knicks for 10 years. They traded me to Cleveland. I was devastated but I know this is how it works. I knew when they traded Wilt Chamberlain, anybody could be traded."

Frazier continued:

"From that point on, I knew that anyone was vulnerable to be traded. It’s a business so Melo knows that. He can’t hold a grudge that the Knicks tried to trade him. Come on, man. That’s how the game goes. But right now it seems like he’s not willing to sacrifice to come back to the team.”"

Some may view that as an underhanded dig, but Frazier has unique perspective on this matter due to his personal experience with the Knicks.

Frazier and Willis Reed were the Knicks’ franchise players during the most prosperous time in franchise history. Frazier and Reed led New York to the only two championships in franchise history, as well as a third NBA Finals appearance.

Despite that being true, Frazier was unceremoniously traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers following the 1976-77 season.

Thus, if anyone can knowledgeably comment on Anthony’s situation, the playetr who gave New York its only two championships would be the most qualified individual.

Anthony led the Knicks to their first 50-win season since 1999-2000, and their first division title since 1993-94. New York has since missed the playoffs in four consecutive seasons, however, which has thus created the current trade rumors.

Beyond the court, Anthony has been embroiled in a feud with Phil Jackson, reportedly cursed out Jeff Hornacek, and allegedly chewed out Kristaps Porzingis for speaking favorably about the triangle offense.

Whether or not the reports were based in fact, the basketball element of the decision to potentially trade Anthony is overwhelming.

At 33 years of age, Anthony is no longer growing along the same timeline as New York’s core players. Come the start of the 2017-18 season, Frank Ntilikina will be 19 years of age, Kristaps Porzingis will be 22, Willy Hernangomez will be 23, and Tim Hardaway Jr. will be 25.

With an eight-year difference between Anthony and the oldest member of the Knicks’ core, it’s fair to question how he would fit long-term.

Must Read: Five reasons to go all-in on trading for Kyrie Irving

If Carmelo Anthony isn’t willing to sacrifice a shot at a championship for a long-term rebuild, it would be difficult to blame him. He’s a 10-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA honoree, three-time Olympic gold medalist, and one-time NCAA champion who has yet to taste NBA glory.

For better or worse, however, such a decision would spell the end of his run with the New York Knicks.

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