New York Knicks: 4 free agents to avoid this offseason
4) Free agents for the Knicks to avoid: Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony just wrapped up a remarkable comeback season with the Portland Trailblazers, proving that he still deserves to be in the NBA. With Knicks president Leon Rose being his former agent, many have speculated about a potential return to New York.
Anthony led the Knicks to their last appearance in the playoffs and was one of the lone bright spots for the team over the past decade. However, coming back to the Knicks would be dissatisfactory for both sides.
For one, signing a player largely based on nostalgia is extremely nonsensical. Anthony accepted a smaller role in Portland, but he still relied on isolation for the majority of his offense. Only 39% of his two-point field goals were assisted.
He also started in all 58 of his appearances this past season, so the front office would need to convince him to come off the bench.
His defense has never been stellar, and it certainly hasn’t gotten better with age. While his laid-back personality suggests that he’ll get along with the younger Knicks just fine, the product on the court is what seems to be in jeopardy.
Anthony’s three-point shooting has been solid, but spacing for RJ Barrett doesn’t matter when Barrett will rarely have the ball in his hands. Bringing in Anthony will just ramp up the problems with spreading the wealth that the Knicks previously had with Marcus Morris.
Next. 3 guard options with the 27th pick. dark
At 36 years old, this might be one of the final opportunities for Anthony to sign on with a contender and try to win a championship. Going to the Knicks for a reunion tour in front of a reduced capacity Madison Square Garden crowd would be perplexing.