It didn't take long for rumors about Carmelo Anthony's discontent with the Knicks to surface this summer. However, Anthony is insistent that he's in New York for the long haul, according to ESPN's Ian Begley.
Carmelo Anthony says ‘hell no,’ he won’t ask for trade if Knicks stink
Anthony says he’s in New York for the long haul.
Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
When asked Monday if he’s thought about asking for a trade if the Knicks struggle this season, Anthony gave a blunt response: “No, hell no.”
Anthony went on to say that he’s not even close to thinking about that kind of scenario at this point and that all of the rumors have been “overwhelming at times.”
The Knicks are coming off a franchise-worst 17-win campaign in 2014-15, and Phil Jackson selected a talented but raw prospect in Kristaps Porzingis with the No. 4 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. Porzingis has plenty of upside, but the worry is by the time his potential is realized, the 31-year-old Anthony will be well past his prime.
That was the basis for the rumor that Anthony was displeased with the selection of Porzingis, as well as the trade of Tim Hardaway Jr. for Notre Dame’s Jerian Grant. But Anthony has maintained that he’s fine with the Knicks’ draft, and he recently told Begley he believes he can play at a high level for another “four or five years,” a time frame which would theoretically have him still be elite as the youngsters reach their potential.
There are concerns about Anthony’s health, though, after undergoing knee surgery in the middle of last season. He appears to be fully healthy heading into this season, but it’s fair to have some apprehension about a player on the wrong side of 30 coming off surgery.
If Anthony can stay healthy and return to form, New York should be improved thanks to the draft picks and the additions of quality free agents like Robin Lopez, Arron Afflalo and Kyle O'Quinn, among others. They weren't the splashy signings some Knicks fans may have been hoping for, but they at least give them a better talent base to build on.
The question is if it’ll be enough. If everything breaks right, perhaps the Knicks can challenge for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. But if things go poorly again, will Anthony really exhibit the patience that he’s preaching right now as he continues to get older?
Anthony says he’ll do just that, but the speculation won’t go away if the Knicks’ play on the court doesn’t improve significantly in the near future.
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