The 2015 offseason for Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks has been up and down, to put it nicely. After the worst Knicks season ever in 2014-15, you could understand how the star of the squad would want to turn things around immediately.
Besides the fact that Melo is 31, the Knicks need to come back to contending form so they aren’t the laughing-stock of the NBA.
In the 2015 NBA Draft, the Knicks controversially selected European star Kristaps Porzingis with the fourth overall pick and acquired Jerian Grant in a draft day trade.
Once free agency began, the Knicks were quickly eliminated as serious contenders for some of the top names like LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Monroe. It was time to make the best out of a tough situation. They quickly agreed to terms with Robin Lopez, Arron Afflalo, Derrick Williams and Kyle O’Quinn to try to bolster the roster.
According to Knicks broadcaster and NBA Hall of Famer Walt Frazier, it might not be enough to convince Melo to stick around.
Following from Ian Begley of ESPN New York who did a Q&A with Frazier.
Q: The Knicks drafted Kristaps Porzingis, a guy who is a couple of years away from being able to help you win night in and night out. Then there’s Carmelo Anthony, who is 31 and here for another four years. How does he fit in because it seems like they are looking at a future that might not fit within his window?
A: I’m sure Melo wasn’t happy. His future is now. You know, he’s not getting younger. This is going to be a pivotal season for him to see really how he fits into the Knick plans and how this is going to go from here. Will he ask out, you know what I mean, if he sees that this is not happening? Because right now the Knicks, [it’s] going to be tough to make the playoffs. They are a few years away and Melo knows that his days are numbered, so stay tuned.
Carmelo Anthony leaving New York could possibly be best for business, both for the Knicks and Melo. While he appears to be happy with the pick of Kristaps Porzingis, despite the report that he was upset with it, the team structure doesn’t fit Carmelo Anthony’s timeline.
Phil Jackson and the Knicks are on a different timeline than Carmelo. Melo is ready to win now and he’s ready to contend for a title again. The Knicks on the otherhand have not been making any huge moves pointing to them wanting to win now. There are possible deals that the team could do but their options are limited due to Melo’s no-trade clause.
If they don’t want to deal him, then it’s up to Carmelo to be that main guy to help the Knicks and lead them to the promiseland. He has the pieces around him to help but he has to be the most important part to the rebuild of this team. He has to be the guy to lead them where they need to go or else is might be time to move him somewhere that he’d get closer to winning. There could be one possibility, if Melo is interested.
