Carmelo Anthony ‘At Peace’ With Taking A Step Back For Younger Players On Knicks

USA Today

The Carmelo Anthony saga may be coming to an end for the New York Knicks. Anthony has been constantly mentioned in trade rumors over the last few seasons and now a deal may come to fruition this summer with the team moves forward with a youth movement.

After a loss to the Miami Heat on Wednesday, Anthony admitted he is taking a backseat to the team’s younger players for the rest of the season and is fine with that. Anthony said the following about his current situation in New York, via Ian Begley of ESPN:

“I see the writing on the wall. I see what it is,” Anthony said late Wednesday night. “I see what they’re trying to do, and it’s just me accepting that. That’s what puts me at peace. Just knowing and understanding how things work. I’m at peace with that.”

The Knicks are at a point in the season in which the team benefits more from losing rather than winning. New York along with the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and Brooklyn Nets are more focused on the upcoming NBA Draft than winning as many games as possible in the final stretch of the regular season.

As for Anthony, the veteran forward could be playing his last games in a Knicks jersey. The team seems determined on moving their face of the franchise this summer after almost pulling off a deal before the NBA trade deadline in February.

New York could look like a much different team next season with Phil Jackson and company beginning to build around Kristaps Porzingis and the young players on the squad. Anthony, however, will more than likely be playing for another team that he agrees to waive his no-trade clause for this summer.