Carmelo Anthony is in the prime of his career. The NBA All-Star is one year removed from signing just less than a max contract with the New York Knicks and yet spent most of last season on the bench watching while injured. The Knicks put together one of the worst seasons in franchise history leaving Anthony disappointed, but hopeful in a bounce back. After a lackluster bout in free agency, is Anthony unhappy with the franchise heading into the 2015-16 season?
According to Knicks legend Walt Frazier in an interview with ESPN's Ian Begley, he fears that Anthony is going to want a trade out of New York if the team has a repeat of last season. Frazier makes the case that these are Anthony's best basketball years and they are simply being wasted. Anthony once admitted that he knew signing with the Chicago Bulls would get him a championship, but he had faith in team president Phil Jackson. Frazier believes that faith is faltering.
"I'm sure Melo wasn't happy," Frazier said, via ESPN.com. "His future is now. You know, he's not getting younger. This is going to be a pivotal season for him to see really how he fits into the Knick plans and how this is going to go from here. Will he ask out, you know what I mean, if he sees that this is not happening? Because right now the Knicks, [it's] going to be tough to make the playoffs."
This is not the first report of unhappiness from Anthony. Talk of the forward not being thrilled about offseason moves was first reported by Chris Broussard of ESPN following the drafting of Kristaps Porzingis. Both Anthony and the rookie denied the allegation and the issue was dropped. To make matters worse, the Knicks failed to get anyone at the top of their free agency list and settle for Robin Lopez, Arron Afflalo and Derrick Williams. Anthony stressed that he believes this roster is an improvement from last year.
Could another free agent signing help Anthony's confidence? According to Sam Amico of FOX Sports, the Knicks are showing interest in Norris Cole as a restricted free agent. With the inconsistencies to Jose Calderon and the youth of Langston Galloway and Jerian Grant, getting Cole sounds enticing to the Knicks who still have a roster spot to fill.
The clock could be ticking for Anthony and the Knicks. One more bad season and the franchise could enter major rebuilding mode. Several of the free agents signed team-friendly contracts that can easily be gotten rid of. Whoever misses out on the Kevin Durant race could target a trade for Anthony. However, if the Knicks pull things together, Jackson told the New York Post that free agents will be flocking to the team which will certainly keep Anthony happy.
"We need to win ... be a competitive team," Jackson said, via the Post. "I think we showed agents and players around the league a serious nature of what we're trying to get accomplished. People who know basketball will recognize that and we'll get people who want to come here."
