The New York Knicks would have considered signing former star Carmelo Anthony for a farewell tour if they had signed two max-level free agents to start their offseason, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic:

Meanwhile, if the Knicks had acquired two major free agents, such as Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, this summer, the franchise planned to consider bringing back Anthony on a contract, league sources said. At that juncture, the Knicks would have been at a contending stage with a team built around veterans. Now, New York is rebuilding around a blend of young talent and accomplished players and has a full roster. Anthony did also receive a standing ovation in his return to Madison Square Garden in late January to watch his close friend, Dwyane Wade, play.

As fate would have it, the Knicks struck out on the potential to ink Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and even Kawhi Leonard, resorting to signing a series of mid-tier free agents to mostly two-year deals, retaining some level of flexibility heading into next summer.

The Knickerbockers brought in a slew of new faces, including Julius Randle, Bobby Portis, Reggie Bullock, Elfrid Payton, Wayne Ellington, Taj Gibson and Marcus Morris — loading themselves with a different-looking roster and leaving little to no possibility to put Anthony back on the court.

Not only did New York logjam the power forward position, but they are also intending to develop young players like rookie RJ Barrett and second-year forward Kevin Knox, leaving no room for the perennial All-Star to come back to the place he still calls home.