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Should Knicks bring Carmelo Anthony back home this offseason?

By Jordanna Clark

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 23: Immanuel Quickley #5 of the New York Knicks heads for the net as Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers defends in the second half at Madison Square Garden on November 23, 2021 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 106-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 23: Immanuel Quickley #5 of the New York Knicks heads for the net as Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers defends in the second half at Madison Square Garden on November 23, 2021 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 106-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Fans may say that the last thing that the New York Knicks needs is to sign a 37-year-old free agent this summer, but what if that player was Carmelo Anthony?

He signed a one-year veterans minimum deal with the Lakers ahead of the 2021-22 season and he’ll soon enter free agency once again. Well, that is if Los Angeles doesn’t re-sign him, but it seems as if Anthony’s ready to move on.

A few years ago, it appeared that Anthony’s NBA career had already come to a close. After he left New York to play in Oklahoma City for a year, he went to Houston and played in 10 games in 2018-19 before he was traded to Cleveland and then waived in February of 2019.

Once that happened and there wasn’t any interest around the league in signing him, Anthony contemplated retirement. Before he could officially do so, Portland swooped in and signed him. If it weren’t for the Trail Blazers, Anthony’s career would’ve likely already come to a close.

Flash forward to the 2022 offseason. Anthony’s in search of a new deal, but there’s also the possibility that he could officially retire. Is it worth it for the Knicks to explore a possible reunion?

Should the New York Knicks contemplate a reunion with UFA Carmelo Anthony?

For a minute, let’s think about how invigorating Madison Square Garden would be in Anthony’s first game back if he were to come to New York and suit up in the orange and blue again. That atmosphere would be electric.

Do the Knicks need him though? In terms of play, not really. Anthony was a valuable contributor off the bench in both Portland and Los Angeles, and while he could do the same in New York, signing him isn’t of the utmost importance.

The main benefit of having Anthony on the roster would be that he’d be a great veteran presence for a team full of young players. The Knicks would come full circle if Anthony were to be a mentor to the new face of the franchise, RJ Barrett.

Anthony would also come at a cheap price and as mentioned, he still has gas left in his tank. And although Tom Thibodeau has taken a turn, he’s always going to be partial to veterans.

It wouldn’t be surprising if a reunion were to happen, and while his presence wouldn’t harm the team by any means, it isn’t a move that New York has to make.

But let’s not forget that before he chose to sign with the Lakers in what was supposed to be an exciting year, it was rumored that the Knicks were interested in signing him. He has a relationship with Leon Rose that dates back to their relationship at CAA Sports. Don’t count a ‘homecoming’ out just yet.

If Anthony indeed does decide that he’s played his final game in the NBA and would like to sign a one-day contract with New York so that he can retire with the franchise that he spent seven seasons playing for, that’d be another story.

Oh, and in case it isn’t obvious, the Knicks should retire his jersey and hang it from the rafters in MSG. That isn’t something that any fan should be against.