Brandon Jennings Says Carmelo Anthony Trade Talks ‘Took A Toll’ On Knicks

The New York Knicks have been an absolute mess this season. After acquiring Derrick Rose and adding Joakim Noah, Brandon Jennings, and Courtney Lee in the offseason, the team was hoping to turn things around, but they remain in the same situation with Carmelo Anthony’s future in limbo.

Anthony’s future has been up in the air for quite some time with the superstar forward mentioned consistently in trade rumors this year. Anthony was never dealt by the team, but the trade talks definitely took their toll on the squad, according to Jennings via ESPN’s Ian Begley:

“It definitely took a toll, I think, on the team. Because it wasn’t even about basketball anymore, it was more about what was going on with Melo,” Jennings said, adding that it was one of the wildest situations he has been in during his eight seasons in the league.

Jennings, who was waived by the team back in February, signed with the Washington Wizards after parting ways with the Knicks. The veteran guard has gone from arguably one of the worst teams in the league to being a key role player on a playoff-bound squad led by stars John Wall and Bradley Beal.

The Knicks, however, will miss the playoffs once again with Anthony seemingly coming to grips with the fact that he may be playing his final games with the team. New York seems determined to move Anthony and waiving his no-trade clause may be a foregone conclusion.

Phil Jackson and company may simply move forward with Kristaps Porzingis as their star attraction and the player they build around. Rose will likely leave the team in NBA free agency and Anthony could be traded to a team like the Los Angeles Clippers or Cleveland Cavaliers this summer.