Whether the team wants to hear it or not, the New York Knicks will spend the 2014 offseason rebuilding. The might also spend the 2015 offseason rebuilding depending on Phil Jackson's master plan. The team has a lot of moves that need to be made in order for New York to become contenders once again. Unwilling to spend another season missing out on postseason play, Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler are ripping the idea of rebuilding.
Anthony has been a part of the playoffs for almost all of his career and is certainly not happy about breaking that streak. Now that All-Star forward is putting the pressure on New York saying he has no interest in being a part of any kind of rebuilding process. Anthony told ESPN's Ian Begley that he is "not at the point in my career where I want to rebuild. I want to come back. I also want to win."
Anthony is insisting on moves now and not later which may not fit in with Jackson's plan. Many NBA experts believe the Knicks president will wait and target the 2015 free agency pool for the Knicks instead of 2014. Next year players like Kevin Love, Rajon Rondo and LaMarcus Aldridge will be available, peaking his interest more. Anthony wants to win now and if the Knicks cannot put him in that situation then he leaves.
Chandler is saying the same thing. The center stressed that he does not want to be in the same situation again next season and will seek a trade if necessary. Chandler has one year and $14 million remaining on his contract. New York attempted to deal him during the trade deadline in the middle of the season and if the Knicks do not start making immediate moves, he will seek one again.
"I definitely don't want to waste another season,'' Chandler said, via the New York Post. "I don't want to waste this season. I'm not into wasting seasons. Your time is too short in this league and I want to win a championship, another one. I'm not into wasting seasons. That decision isn't going to be in my hands."
The Knicks first move will likely come in the form of determining the future of head coach Mike Woodson. The New York Daily News reports that Woodson could be fired in the next 48 hours as many of the coaching assistants are preparing to be let go as well. NBA sources report Woodson is assuming he is gone after the Knicks disaster season.