Second least likely offseason acquisition: Carmelo Anthony
Sorry, Melo fans. I have to rank Carmelo Anthony as the second least likely offseason acquisition because it seems like his return is predicated on the addition of another player in Chris Paul.
This is a bit of flawed logic because, as you will learn in a minute, I think there is a realistic chance of Paul coming to the Knicks, but even if he was acquired, there’s no guarantee Anthony will decide to return to MSG. And without Paul, a reunion appears extremely unlikely.
After finding a home in Portland this past season, the former scoring champion has made clear that he wants to return to the Blazers.
"“I pray that it can be Portland,” Anthony said when asked about where he would play next season (via KGW TV Portland). “I think I found a home in Portland.”"
Looks like @Dame_Lillard and @CJMcCollum won't have to do as much recruiting this time around...
— Orlando Sanchez (@orlandokgw) August 30, 2020
Granted, Anthony expressed his desire to return out west while wearing his hometown colors: blue sweatshirt and an integrated Yankees/Mets hat. But he seems genuinely happy to have found a home in the Western Conference after struggling to fit in Oklahoma City and Houston since leaving New York.
Would Anthony want to come back to a Knicks team that even with the additions of himself and Paul would possibly struggle to compete for a playoff spot higher than the 8th seed? Has he reached the point in his career, as a player who no longer demands a large contract, that he rather find himself competing for an elusive championship?
It’s not impossible Anthony makes a curtain call at the Garden. In fact, based on speculation by several reporters, it seems somewhat likely if Chris Paul is acquired, but since it would take a few steps to sign him, I will leave him near the bottom of the list.