The NY Knicks are stepping into uncertain waters this offseason, as Carmelo Anthony is becoming a free agent and the team could lose him to the Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets or LA Lakers and that means Phil Jackson may have to resort to trades involving Tyson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Amar'e Stoudemire or Andrea Bargnani to ensure that he can sign Melo and add players as a free agents.
The Knicks have met with Anthony multiple times this offseason after the regular season ended and while all reports have those meetings going well, it's not sure thing that Anthony will stay. According to ESPN.com, the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets and Lakers all will be making attempts to lure Anthony away from the Big Apple and if they offer him enough money there is chance he will leave despite the Knicks blowing up their team to acquire him. Jackson said after the season that the roster may look very different next year and Felton was one name he mentioned as a potential trade option.
Felton did not play well last season and his gun issue did not help matters either and Jackson is looking to upgrade art the point guard position. Brining in Derek Fisher will help get the point guard position in line and the Knicks could look at Kyle Lowry on the market after attempting to trade for him during the season with the Raptors. The Knicks loved how Lowry played last season and he could be a great addition over Felton is he is moved, but the big question is if anyone will actually trade for him.
Chandler and Stoudemire are key parts of the team with Anthony, but they are making tons of money and are killing the cap right now. Jackson wants to be able to add pieces around Anthony if he can keep him, but right now that will be tough. The team is likely two or three years away from contending and that is a lot of time to ask for a 29 year old player. Anthony likes NY and wants to win with the Knicks, but he also wants championships and if he gives up this chance to play for the Bulls, Rockets or Heat, he may never get it again.
Last season Anthony averaged over 25 points per game again and he was an All-Star despite how bad the Knicks played and now he has to decide what is most important to him. Anthony has a ton of money that he has made in his career and the biggest knock on him is that he is not a winner and now he could change all of that. The Heat reportedly are looking to try and sign Anthony, but that will take a major commitment from Melo and the Big 3, as he could potentially leave over $50 million on the table and that's pretty nuts.
The Knicks will continue trying to sign Anthony until he opts out, but that doesn't mean they can't win without him. Jackson has names he can sign without keeping Melo and that could play out the way things are going now.
