The NY Knicks had a terrible season in 2014 and now that they have missed the playoffs, many are worried Carmelo Anthony could leave as a free agent this summer and teams like the Chicago Bulls, LA Lakers, Loa Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat could be options, while Phil Jackson could look to hire Steve Kerr, John Calipari or Jeff Van Gundy if he fires head coach Mike Woodson.
The Knicks flirted with the eighth playoff spot before being eliminated and now Phil Jackson has quite a few things to do over the summer, as they won over 50 games last season and now are home for the postseason. The Knicks won the division and now they have a 35-45 record as they finish the season and the biggest focus for the franchise will be what Carmelo Anthony does this summer. The Knicks have been worried that he will leave and while Jackson plans on going after him, everyone realizes there is a good chance that it could happen since the team played so poorly this year.
Anthony was frustrated with the results this season and he now is rumored to be interested in the Chicago Bulls or the LA Lakers heading into next year. The Knicks will make a run at him, but it is a near guarantee that he will opt out of his deal and that means the Bulls and other teams will have the chance to go after him. According to the New York Daily News, the Knicks could look to make a splash at head coach if Jackson wants to fire Mike Woodson, with names like Steve Kerr, John Calipari and Jeff Van Gundy as possible candidates.
Jackson has a number of things he needs to work out and he is really looking at 2015, because that is when the Knicks will have money to spend whether Anthony stays or goes this summer. Kevin Love of course will be in the mix, but that takes time and patience and now Anthony will have his situation worked out before that. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Anthony could be looking at another team this summer, as he has reportedly asked a former Bulls player about what it's like to play for coach Tom Thibodeau.
Naturally that gets the rumor mill moving around, as the New York Daily News is reporting that Anthony is eyeing the Bulls as a potential landing spot if he leaves the Knicks. Anthony would join a returning Derrick Rose along with Joakim Noah and adding him would make a very solid team that could be championship caliber. The Knicks can give Anthony the most money, but there is chance he would take less than the max to try and win a championship, as he is not getting any younger.
The Knicks won 54 games last season and while they won 12 of 15 games down the stretch this season, they missed out and now the future is up in the air. The Knicks orchestrated a big trade for Anthony and now it all could be for naught if he leaves for another team this summer.
