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Why Carmelo Anthony’s best legacy move is a reunion with Knicks in free agency

By Allen Settle

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 05: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Carmelo Anthony
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 05: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Carmelo Anthony /
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Carmelo Anthony, Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) – New York Knicks
Carmelo Anthony, Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) – New York Knicks /

How would a reunion affect Carmelo Anthony’s legacy?

To be clear, I am not suggesting that Melo chase a ring with the Knicks. As hopeful as I am that the Jalen Brunson addition helps New York correct their 2021-22 failings, any reasonable NBA fan is well aware of the fact that the club is not in a position to compete for a title.

So how will rejoining the Knicks aid Melo’s Hall of Fame-worthy legacy? For all the legend has accomplished in his basketball career (10-time All-Star, former scoring champion, NCAA Champion, three-time Olympic Gold Medalist, etc.), his unique NBA journey hasn’t allowed him to fully connect with any individual franchise.

When Melo does retire from the game, which franchise is a lock to retire his jersey and give him a proper sendoff?

Denver? Despite playing a career-high eight seasons with the Nuggets, a lack of postseason success and a messy divorce from the club leave that in question.

New York? Maybe, but not definitely. Despite seven seasons of prime Melo in MSG, the Knicks also failed to achieve any real team success during the star’s tenure. He had great moments in blue and orange. Yet, his New York legacy is defined by overall disappointment.

This leaves only Portland, Oklahoma City, Houston, and Los Angeles. All of these stops involved a post-prime Anthony who was in each city for very short stints.

How many transcendent stars are at risk of retiring with a proper sendoff from any of their former clubs? Unfortunately for Anthony, he falls into that rare category.

However, perhaps one final season with the Knicks would cement his New York legacy. Something of a mini farewell tour would allow Carmelo and Knicks fans to heal from past disappointment and reestablish a connection.

This closure, with the absent pressure that Anthony will carry the franchise, could be all that is needed to make the future Hall of Famer feel, first and foremost, like a New York Knick. Perhaps joining a contender cashes in with that elusive first ring. But perhaps (and even likely) it will not.

Why not take the sure-fire legacy boost that ends with #7 hanging in MSG forevermore?