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ESPN lists Knicks as free agent Carmelo Anthony’s ‘best option’

By Jordanna Clark

NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 30: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks reacts during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on December 30, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 30: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks reacts during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on December 30, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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The New York Knicks have engaged in trade talks with the Utah Jazz to bring Donovan Mitchell back home via a trade, but they could soon be bringing another big-name player home. Free agent Carmelo Anthony has still yet to sign with a team.

Melo spent the 2021-22 season with his good friend LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, but it ended up being a disastrous year for the organization. The 38-year-old forward was one of the lone bright spots for the team, averaging 13.3 points while shooting 44.1% from the floor and 37.5% from the 3-point line in 69 games.

After his 10-game stint with the Houston Rockets in 2018-19, it seemed as if Melo’s career was over, but the Portland Trail Blazers signed him to a deal in November of 2019. The two seasons that he spent in Portland proved that he’s still a valuable contributor, which is what led him to Los Angeles.

And now, there’s a chance that Melo could end up back where he spent seven seasons of his career, the Knicks.

ESPN’s Bobby Marks believes Carmelo Anthony’s best option is signing with the Knicks

ESPN’s Dave McMenamin published a piece on Aug. 2 about 10 players from the Lakers’ 2021-22 roster that are still waiting to be signed. Since then, Kent Bazemore agreed to a one-year deal with the Sacramento Kings, but the future of the other nine players is still up in the air, including Anthony’s.

Bobby Marks provided some insight on Melo’s best fit this offseason:

"Anthony can still help the Lakers but there is a clear emphasis on younger players off the bench. New York has two open roster spots and possibly more if a Donovan Mitchell trade occurs. A return to his former team is Anthony’s best option."

Now, there are some Knicks fans out there who are against Melo re-joining the team, and they cite his ‘selfishness’ as one of the reasons why. Anthony last played in New York in 2016-17. Since then, he’s played for four different teams in five years. As mentioned, his career was revitalized with the Trail Blazers after he got another chance to play the game of basketball again.

Melo wouldn’t come back to Madison Square Garden and be the same player that he was five years ago, but he would be a solid contributor off the bench. And since the Knicks waived Taj Gibson, Anthony could step in as a beneficial veteran presence in an otherwise young locker room.

Reportedly, New York’s willing to send Obi Toppin to Utah in a deal for Mitchell, so if a trade happens, it seems likely that Toppin will be gone. Now, Melo isn’t Obi, but he’d help to fill a void left at forward.

Ironically, the Knicks possibly trading for Mitchell has been compared to the Melo trade that happened back in 2011. If the 10-time All-Star were to wind back up on New York’s roster, it’d truly be a full circle moment.

The Garden’s waiting for you, Melo.