New York Knicks: Carmelo Anthony to attend training camp
New York Knicks general manager Scott Perry was asked about Carmelo Anthony. Perry is still open to a trade, but Anthony will attend training camp.
The New York Knicks are mere days away from the beginning of training camp. Coupled with the fact that the 2017-18 NBA regular season less than one month away, some have begun to question whether the Knicks will grant Carmelo Anthony the trade he’s reportedly request.
It remains a possibility that Anthony will be moved before the regular season begins, but the front office doesn’t seem to have the strongest sense of urgency.
A report recently surfaced that Anthony’s camp is hopeful that he’ll be traded before media day is held on Monday, September 25. Thus, when the Knicks provided early availability to the media in Tarrytown, New York, questions immediately arose pertaining to Anthony’s future.
According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, general manager Scott Perry made it perfectly clear that Anthony will be with the Knicks come training camp.
"“Look, Carmelo’s going to be back here,’’ Perry said in a press conference to ring in Monday’s start of camp. “Carmelo has always been a professional. That’s one thing I’ve always respected about him. I think he can set a good example for the young players. He’s been a 10-time All-Star. If he’s back here with the New York Knicks, we expect him to be the professional he’s always exemplified throughout his career and move forward with him.”"
Perry has great respect for Anthony as a person, and is prepared to move forward with the 10-time All-Star on the roster if an ideal trade proposal can’t be unsurfaced.
Anthony has a no-trade clause in his contract that’s enabled him to limit New York’s options to one potential trade partner: the Houston Rockets. Due to Houston’s lack of appealing assets, however, trade talks have reportedly stalled.
That’s resulted in the current predicament, as the Knicks feel they’d be unable to simultaneously honor Anthony’s request and improve the future of the organization.
Perry seems to be of the belief that having Anthony on the roster would help New York more than simply dumping him for an unappealing player or contract.
If Anthony plays the 2017-18 season with the Knicks, his role and playing time will remain unchanged. New York plans to compete this coming season, and it feels it’s surrounded Anthony with promising young talent.
If Anthony is traded, then the Knicks will be prepared to move forward with a young core that it feels can be developed into something special.
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Until a trade comes along that proves mutually beneficial, Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks will remain partners in the attempt to return the organization to glory.