Knicks Legend Walt Frazier Believes Carmelo Anthony May Want Out Of New York

USA Today

Last summer, superstar Carmelo Anthony was an unrestricted free agent and seemingly open to leaving the New York Knicks for a better chance to contend for an NBA title. After being courted by the Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, Anthony ultimately decided to return to New York on a lucrative five-year deal.

Despite seriously considering signing with the Bulls and Lakers, Anthony was supposedly on board with Phil Jackson’s vision for turning things around in New York. Anthony believed in the team’s long-term plans although knowing full well it would take a few years to come to fruition.

After one year under Jackson and new head coach Derek Fisher, the Knicks finished with only 17 wins and a bleak future ahead. New York also made a controversial pick during the NBA Draft to bring in international product Kristaps Porzingis. This had led some to believe, including Knicks legend Walt Frazier, Anthony may eventually want out of New York, via ESPN’s Ian Begley:

“I’m sure Melo wasn’t happy. His future is now. You know, he’s not getting younger. This is going to be a pivotal season for him to see really how he fits into the Knick plans and how this is going to go from here. Will he ask out, you know what I mean, if he sees that this is not happening? Because right now the Knicks, [it’s] going to be tough to make the playoffs. They are a few years away and Melo knows that his days are numbered, so stay tuned.”

There’s no doubt that drafting Porzingis was a risky move to say the least. Porzingis could be another international player that could take years to develop in the NBA while Anthony is 31 and running out of time in terms of how much longer he’ll be in his prime.

Although Anthony may secretly desire to be traded by the Knicks, Jackson and company would almost certainly have a tough time moving his contract. Anthony may still be considered among the best players in the league, but few teams will want to bring in a player with health issues that is on the wrong side of 30.

It could quickly become an ugly situation in New York is Porzingis doesn’t show results quickly resulting in the Knicks being at least a playoff contender in an extremely weak Eastern Conference.