Amar'e Stoudemire has told Carmelo Anthony to resist a trade to the New Jersey Nets and that he wants the star scorer to join him with the New York Knicks, according to a report by Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski. 'Melo's Denver Nuggets have been on the precipice of consummating a trade to send the forward to the Nets. But for that to happen, Anthony must agree to a three-year extension to ensure he won't become a free agent this summer.
Amar’e Stoudemire Told Carmelo Anthony To Resist Trade To Nets, According To Report
The latest reports indicate ’Melo may not actually be on board with a move to the Nets. What role Stoudemire’s outreach has in that position is unknown. Woj reports that Amar’e reached out to ‘Melo via text message to express that he wants another star to join him in New York, and that he should resist a trade to the Knicks’ soon-to-be cross-town rival.
That could constitute tampering, as Amar'e is a Knicks employee and team reps are not allowed to contact players under contract with other teams about contract, free agency or trade issues with the permission of the target's team. Commissioner David Stern has shown leniency with player-to-player contact, however, and hasn't given any indication he will meet the Cleveland Cavaliers' pleas to investigate tampering charges lobbed at the Miami Heat based on their signing of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in July 2010.
It’s no secret that ‘Melo prefers the Knicks based on location, team quality and the presence of a coach (Mike D’Antoni) and co-star (Amar’e) he knows and respects. D’Antoni has been an assistant coach under Mike Krzyzewski for Team USA basketball; ‘Melo thrived with the national program from 2006 through 2008, where the Americans won gold at the Beijing Olympics.
The Knicks are 22-15 and currently in the No. 6 spot in the East. The Nets are just 10-27, a solid five games out of the playoffs. But New Jersey is willing to give up rookie big man Derrick Favors and multiple first-round picks for an extended 'Melo; the Knicks just don't have those types of assets.
For Knicks news and analysis, check out Posting And Toasting and SB Nation New York.
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