The New York Knicks may be interested in bringing Carmelo Anthony back, but it's not at the top of their offseason to-do list.
Anthony played seven seasons in New York (2011-17), leading the Knicks to the playoffs three times and earning seven All-Star nods. He averaged 24.7 points per game as a Knick, but a prolonged falling out with ex-president Phil Jackson (as his skills declined) eventually led to Anthony being dealt to the Oklahoma City Thunder ahead of the 2017-18 season.
Anthony has a close relationship with current Knicks president Leon Rose, who was Anthony's agent at CAA. Anthony is also close to former CAA power broker William “World Wide Wes” Wesley, who now serves as a senior adviser to Rose.
Rose is tight with Anthony's good friend Chris Paul, too, whom the Knicks are rumored to be interested in acquiring from Oklahoma City. According to SNY's Ian Begley, New York almost re-united with Anthony last year and could be open to it again, especially if they land Paul.
“The Knicks were planning to sign Carmelo Anthony last summer if they’d landed Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in free agency … But Leon Rose was Anthony’s agent at the time. So, logic says that the Knicks and Anthony will at least discuss the possibility of a return,” Begley writes, adding “the odds of an Anthony return increase with a Paul trade. But there are people in the organization who see Anthony as free agent target, regardless of what happens with Paul.”
The first off-season for the Rose administration should be a busy one. The Knicks own the no. 8 and no. 27 picks in next week's draft, and could have about $40-$45 million in cap space. New York is also exploring trading for Russell Westbrook, much to the dismay of the fanbase.
After Portland's first-round loss in the bubble, Anthony expressed his desire to return to the Blazers. In his 17th NBA season, Anthony, 36, averaged 15.4 PPG on .430/.385/.845 shooting splits in 58 games for Portland (not including playoffs).
“I think I’ve found a home in Portland. I got comfortable with the organization, I got comfortable with the guys on the team, they got comfortable with me, and at this point in my career, I do think that is the best fit for me,” the 10-time All-Star told The Athletic. “Whenever you find a situation that is comfortable and allows you to be who you are, you want to stay in that situation. There is no need to try different things when something is working.”
On Saturday, Anthony posted a video of him working out in Manhattan.
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