Things are getting ugly in New York, so ugly that the unthinkable is being discussed. The Knicks have won four games this season. That puts them ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers, but behind the struggling Los Angeles Lakers. Fans expected the Knicks to be bad this season thanks to their inability to make quality offseason moves, but no one expected them to be this disastrous. With the offense non-existent in the new triangle system and fights of players being reported, is Carmelo Anthony looking to bolt sooner rather than later.
Anthony returned to the Knicks in free agency to be the franchise star. He stated his trust in Phil Jackson to make the right moves and in Derek Fisher to prepare the team adequately. He signed a five-year, $124 million contract to return to New York and carry the franchise. However, according to the New York Post, Anthony would consider waiving his no-trade clause if Jackson strikes a deal with a team that Anthony favors.
Nobody panic. According to the Post, Anthony is not actively seeking a trade. He does not prefer to be traded. But, the guard is frustrated after 10 straight losses as the Knicks continue to turn into the laughing stock of the league. Anthony is in the prime of his career and he is ready to win.
Technically, Anthony could be traded as early as Monday. The idea of the Knicks trading Anthony would seem completely crazy, but the veteran has made comments hinting towards his unhappiness in New York. Following his free agency contract, Anthony told the media that he had no intentions of re-living the 2013-14 season for the Knicks which saw him missing the playoffs. This year is much worse.
"I'm willing to be patient," Anthony said, via the New York Post on Sept. 30. "Now, how long am I willing to be patient? I can't tell you that. But I'm willing to be patient."
Anthony has also noted that the Chicago Bulls were actually the better team for him. Chicago put on the hard sell to Anthony in free agency, using a healthy Derrick Rose and defensive star Joakim Noah as the bait. Anthony said he was close to signing with Chicago because he knew he could win with them, but stayed in New York instead. If Jackson were to strike a deal with Chicago, is there a chance that Anthony leaves the Knicks?
The chances that Anthony gets traded are slim to likely never. No team can afford to take on his salary at this point in the year unless they give up a lot. The Bulls would likely have to deal players like Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler. Instead, the likely move for the Knicks will be a trade of either JR Smith or Iman Shumpert before the deadline since they are the affordable option.
