The Banana Boat dream could still be alive for two potential New York Knicks targets.
If the New York Knicks orchestrate a trade for future Hall-of-Famer Chris Paul this offseason, it’s possible that his good friend and former Knick Carmelo Anthony could join him at Madison Square Garden.
At least that is what SNY’s Ian Begley, who is as clued in as any reporter covering the Knicks, offered as a suggestion on his recent episode of The Putback.
"“If his buddy Chris Paul gets traded to the Knicks,” Begley said on Wednesday. “That certainly increases the odds that Carmelo Anthony ends up back here in New York.”"
Paul made an infamous toast at Carmelo Anthony’s wedding in 2010 that promised he would someday play alongside Melo and Amar’e Stoudemire, fueling endless rumors and partially coming to fruition for a short period of time in Houston.
Both Paul and Anthony were also part of the Banana Boat Squad after a photo surfaced of the two vacationing together with Dwyane Wade and LeBron James in 2015.
"If his buddy Chris Paul gets traded to the Knicks, that certainly increases the odds that Carmelo Anthony ends up back here in New York,” says @IanBegley on The Putback
— Daily Knicks (@DailyKnicksFS) September 2, 2020
FULL EPISODE: https://t.co/e4o0Rk4WsJpic.twitter.com/wGvrSjXKDt
With former CAA big wig Leon Rose calling the shots in New York, it seems plausible to believe he could bring together the two veteran players he used to represent. The New York Post reported in March that Rose “adores” Paul, and more recent reports indicate the Knicks are open to a reunion with Anthony.
However, the former NBA scoring champ quelled those rumors after the Blazers were eliminated from the playoffs last week. Following the team’s final loss, Anthony said he “prays” he can return to Portland.
"“I pray that it could be Portland,” Anthony said via The Oregonian. “Honestly, thank God I found a home in Portland. I got comfortable with the organization. I got comfortable with the guys on the team. They got comfortable with me. At this point in my career, I do think that that’s the best fit for me, the best situation.”"
Meanwhile, Paul is entangled in an epic seven-game series against Russell Westbrook and the Houston Rockets. The Point God has looked spry in leading the Thunder to a deciding game.
But he is set to turn 36 next year and is still owed more than $85 million over the next two seasons. The Knicks seem focused on having cap flexibility in 2021 when the next big free agent class hits the open market.
While New York is in search of a stabilizing presence at the point guard position, acquiring Paul would greatly impact their cap flexibility next summer.