New York Knicks president Phil Jackson finally dropped the bomb many expected since his comments on Carmelo Anthony early in the season, saying his star forward “would be better off somewhere else” this upcoming season.
“I think the direction with our team is that he would be better off somewhere else,” Jackson told reporters Friday.
The “Zen Master” added that Anthony would be better served playing for a team with title aspirations, and that the meeting between the two was “cordial” when discussing his future with the team.
Jackson says he told Carmelo, like last year, that the team isn't in a position to win a title and he should decide to stay or leave.
— Mike Vorkunov (@Mike_Vorkunov) April 14, 2017
Anthony said he would be open to a trade prior to this year's trade deadline, but would be selective of it due to his no-trade clause. The 32-year-old veteran revealed last month that he turned down a chance to end up with the L.A. Clippers prior to the deadline.
By Jackson telling reporters openly that he's looking to ship him out of New York for his own good and the future of the team, it puts any contention on Anthony's shoulders — once again making him look like the hard-to-bargain-with individual in a trade situation.
While Anthony seems more open to be traded after his comments on Wednesday prior to his meeting with Jackson, it will still take a lot of work seek the right opportunity for his future.
The Knicks only made the playoffs in Melo's first three of six seasons with the franchise, and while in recent memory his name has been ensnared with much scrutiny and a history of injuries, he's still a bona fide 20-point-per game scorer that a lot of teams can benefit from having on their roster.
Carmelo Anthony put up 22.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game in the Knicks' 31-51 season in 2016-17.
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