With free agency quickly approaching, Carmelo Anthony remains the hottest name on the market. The New York Knicks guard will be opting out of his contract and has the attention of every team in the league as July 1 approaches. Anthony is expected to be very popular with several teams currently working out their salary cap issues to try and sign him. Players are also keeping an eye on what Anthony opts to do with several of them wanting to team up with his high-scoring abilities.
Both Phil Jackson and new head coach Derek Fisher met with Anthony about what he intends to do with that player option he currently has on his contract. According to ESPN.com, Anthony has made his intentions known and he will opt out of his contract and not exercise the $23.3 million option that would prolong free agency until 2015. Jackson had hope that Anthony might just play out his contract, saving the Knicks money in order to load up on a supporting cast to help.
Just because Anthony is opting out of his deal does not mean he will not be returning to the Knicks. New York can still offer him a contract with one more year and about $30 million more than any other team. However, they lack the championship supporting cast which could weigh heavily on his decision. As Anthony begins to mule over where he wants to play next, certain veteran players are hoping he signs with their team.
Dirk Nowitzki is also a free agent, but has every intention of re-signing with the Dallas Mavericks. He has even noted he would take a smaller deal in order for the team to have money for signing other players that would put the Mavericks back in title contention. He is not hiding the fact that he would love to play with Anthony.
"Listen I think I'e showed over my 16 years that I can play with anybody," Nowitzki said, via The Dallas Morning News. "The only tough season I think we've had is when we had (Antawn) Jamison and Antoine Walker and myself who are all three kind of the same four-men, but other than that I think I've shown over my career that I can play with anybody. I'll adjust, whether I have to get out of the way or go to the corner more, post up, pass - I'll do whatever, really, that needs to be done out there to win or for this franchise to be a winner. If Carmelo would really love to come here, we'd love to have him, and if not, then we're looking at some other options to make this franchise better and be a winner and be in the playoffs every year again. So whoever comes, whoever does decide to play with us, we're more excited to have them."
The Mavericks have already been considering a trade for Tyson Chandler. Could they get Anthony as well? His shooting abilities would certainly be welcomed and take the pressure off Nowitzki. Getting Chandler would help with defensive priorities and give Dallas a chance to compete.
Nowitzki is not the only doing some recruiting. Kobe Bryant has made note that he would love the guard to sign with the Lakers as the Miami Heat Big Three are reportedly looking into getting Anthony as well.
