For whatever reason, former New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony remains without an NBA deal. In light of this fact, team president Steve Mills is wishing the 10-time All-Star the best.
Mills says Carmelo Anthony and Lance Thomas called over the summer to come and work out and Mills says Knicks usually let that happen with former players.
"We wish Carmelo the best," he said.— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) September 30, 2019
There was some level of interest in Anthony this summer. In fact, he worked out with several teams this offseason, including the Knicks and Nets. No deals have come to fruition, but he says he's willing to do what it takes to return to the NBA.
“I love the game too much to get away from it,” Anthony said during an appearance on ESPN's First Take. “I've never even thought about a farewell tour. I've thought about this being my last year, but that was at the time I was really emotionally vulnerable at that point in time. Now I feel like I still could play, I know I still could play, my peers know I still could play.”
Anthony says he is open to any role change that he might have to endure with a new team.
“I think it's about me as a person willing to accept certain roles on a basketball team,” Anthony added. “Am I willing to accept a certain role on a basketball team? Yes. I'd gotten to a point in Houston where I had to accept that role, and I was just getting into accepting that role.”
Ultimately, Anthony misses the game and still feels that he can contribute.
“I want to play and I want to go and win a championship, but I also want to play,” Anthony said. “I want to get back out there on the court. I miss the game. I was away from the game for damn near a whole season. I got the opportunity to step back and grow as a person, and I deserve another shot.”
"I felt like the game didn’t love me back at that point. … Now, I love the game too much to be away from it."
–Carmelo Anthony on his free agency
(via @FirstTake) pic.twitter.com/rCXr0ZBu5z
— ESPN (@espn) August 2, 2019
Melo, now 35 years of age, hasn't played in an NBA game for roughly nine months. In his 10 appearances with the Houston Rockets last season, the former No. 3 overall pick racked up averages of 13.4 points on 40.5 percent shooting from the field (32.8 percent from beyond the arc) and 5.4 rebounds in 29.4 minutes per outing.
Whether or not Carmelo will get another shot at playing in the NBA remains to be seen, but there is no doubting his desire for it.
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