Melo's Future with the Knicks
As the Knicks continue their inconsistent play, it is becoming clear that they are not a championship contender playoff contender. Apologies to everyone who thought they had great Vegas odds to win it all.
Many Knicks fans are stressing that it's time for Melo and the Knicks part ways. This is considered a win-win because Melo can join a contender, and the Knicks can build around their unicorn, Kristaps Porzingis.
There are multiple reasons why this is not going to happen:
Phil Jackson met with Carmelo about potentially trading him. Melo claims he never even considered waiving his no trade clause, "I've never even, haven't even thought about that," Anthony said. "Like you said, I guess there's people talking about it. I don't know, I haven't thought about it. It's not something that I've thought about so far."
You could argue that Melo is just being politically correct after being classically conditioned by the New York media. Melo is passed his prime and definitely wants to win now.
This is all assuming Melo would even leave New York... It is extremely difficult to trade $24.5 million to a contender without getting back a superstar due to cap restrictions. I could go down the list, but I don't feel like it.
The Celtics have cap room, but they're flourishing through their fast paced offense led by their gunslinger Isaiah Thomas. I don't know why Danny Ainge would mess with Boston's chemistry.
The Clippers would have to get rid of either Blake Griffin, Chris Paul or DeAndre Jordan in order for a trade to happen, due to the salary cap. Some people think Blake for Melo is realistic, but one guy is on the right side of 30 and another guy is on the wrong side of 30.
No contenders want Melo.
Would the Knicks be better off trading Carmelo and rebuilding? Yes. However, it's not exactly Melo’s fault that the Knicks are at this point. Let's look at my Melo timeline.
Contenders don't want Melo due to his contract or potential chemistry issues.
Teams like Phoenix or Orlando have great assets to offer the Knicks, but Melo would not waive his no trade clause for those types of destinations.
Melo and his Knicks are at a stalemate. We can only hope that they get a playoff seed, giving Porzingis some playoff experience. That's about all we can hope for.
Many Knicks fans are stressing that it's time for Melo and the Knicks part ways. This is considered a win-win because Melo can join a contender, and the Knicks can build around their unicorn, Kristaps Porzingis.
There are multiple reasons why this is not going to happen:
Carmelo Anthony has a no trade clause
Phil Jackson met with Carmelo about potentially trading him. Melo claims he never even considered waiving his no trade clause, "I've never even, haven't even thought about that," Anthony said. "Like you said, I guess there's people talking about it. I don't know, I haven't thought about it. It's not something that I've thought about so far."
You could argue that Melo is just being politically correct after being classically conditioned by the New York media. Melo is passed his prime and definitely wants to win now.
What if the Knicks trade Melo to a contender?
This is all assuming Melo would even leave New York... It is extremely difficult to trade $24.5 million to a contender without getting back a superstar due to cap restrictions. I could go down the list, but I don't feel like it.
The Celtics have cap room, but they're flourishing through their fast paced offense led by their gunslinger Isaiah Thomas. I don't know why Danny Ainge would mess with Boston's chemistry.
The Clippers would have to get rid of either Blake Griffin, Chris Paul or DeAndre Jordan in order for a trade to happen, due to the salary cap. Some people think Blake for Melo is realistic, but one guy is on the right side of 30 and another guy is on the wrong side of 30.
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No contenders want Melo.
Should Knicks fans hate Carmelo Anthony?
Would the Knicks be better off trading Carmelo and rebuilding? Yes. However, it's not exactly Melo’s fault that the Knicks are at this point. Let's look at my Melo timeline.
- 2012-2013 season - Melo leads the league in scoring at 29 points per game. The Knicks finish 54-28 with the second best record in the east. Melo also finished 3rd in MVP voting behind Kevin Durant and LeBron James
- 2013-2014 - Jason Kidd retires and Andrea Bargnani joins the Knicks. The Knicks suck again and Melo’s contract is expiring. It is difficult to trade a superstar with an expiring deal unless they are willing to commit to an extension.
- 2014 summer - Carmelo wants to join the Chicago Bulls to “win now”. Phil Jackson sways Melo to stay with the Knicks, by convincing him that he will build a contender AND giving him a no trade clause.
- 2014-2015 - Phil blows up the team. Knicks go 17-65 with the worst record in franchise history, but they draft Kristaps Porzingis.
- 2017- Half of the Knicks fan base boos Melo at home whenever he shoots the ball.
Contenders don't want Melo due to his contract or potential chemistry issues.
Teams like Phoenix or Orlando have great assets to offer the Knicks, but Melo would not waive his no trade clause for those types of destinations.
Melo and his Knicks are at a stalemate. We can only hope that they get a playoff seed, giving Porzingis some playoff experience. That's about all we can hope for.
