New York Knicks: Carmelo Anthony spoke with front office
Carmelo Anthony recently stated that he hasn’t met with the New York Knicks. Anthony has, however, communicated with the front office.
Carmelo Anthony has outlasted team president Phil Jackson, but the working theory is that he doesn’t want his New York Knicks tenure to last much longer. The 10-time All-Star has shifted his attention back to winning, and New York has turned its focus to a youth movement.
The organization has attempted to honor that request by negotiating with the Houston Rockets, but thus far, it’s been to no avail.
The failure to execute a trade with Houston has resulted in New York taking a step back to evaluate its options. That’s created a potentially false sense of hope that Anthony could return to the Knicks in 2017-18.
During an appearance on SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt, Anthony claimed that he and the front office spoke about his future with the team.
For those who can’t see the video, Anthony said the following:
"Conversations has been had. There’s been plenty of conversations that’s been had. From both sides. I think at this point, we all know kind of where we stand, as far as myself, as far as the Knicks organization. They know how I feel, I know how they feel. We spoke, we have been in communication. Like I said, at this point, we’re just going to see what happens. I just want to enjoy my offseason, despite everything that’s surrounding me, and just go from there."
Whether you want Anthony back with the Knicks or on another team, the fact that he and the front office have engaged in conversations is encouraging.
Anthony has been the face of the franchise for the better part of seven seasons. Recent events have soured some on the 10-time All-Star, but he’s as responsible as anyone for the best stretch of Knicks basketball since 2001.
That includes the 2012-13 season, when Anthony led New York to its first 50-win season since 2000 and its first division title since 1994.
Unfortunately, the Knicks have since missed the playoffs in four consecutive seasons, thus causing some to question if the time has come for a mutual decision to split.
New York’s decision to embrace a youth movement has been viewed as the seal on Anthony’s fate. Rather than pursuing high-profile free agents, the Knicks have committed to building a sustainable core via the NBA Draft and the signings of 25-and-under free agents.
With Anthony staring down an opportunity to play for a contender in Houston, it’s fair to assume that his hope is consistent with the reports.
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The question is: Will we ever see Carmelo Anthony wearing the orange and blue again? The New York Knicks will answer that question in the near future.