New York Knicks president phil jackson reportedly thinks that a trade would be best for his star forward Carmelo Anthony. The Knicks finished the season with a 31-51 record, missing the playoffs for the fourth straight year.
In a press conference on Friday, Jackson said, “We’ve not been able to win with him on the court at this time. I think the direction of our team is that he is a player that would be better off somewhere else and using his talents somewhere where he can win or chase that championship,” New York Daily News reported.
However, trading the 32-year old Anthony could be involved because of the no-trade clause in his contract.
Also, he still has $54 million remaining on the five-year deal he signed with Jackson in 2014.
Anthony to the trading block
Last season, Jackson reportedly told Anthony that the Knicks wouldn't be able to provide him a winning team; however, Anthony decided to stay. Nevertheless, the Knicks still had trade talks with other teams during the season but could not find anything suitable; this is the time when the relationship between Jackson and Anthony suffered, along with the team’s record.
Derrick Rose wants to return to New York
New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee earlier this month and will be an unrestricted free agent in July. He expressed his interest in returning as a Knick to redeem himself as a player.
Jackson has nothing but praise for Rose, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that he would re-sign the 28-year old guard. The Knicks will have a high pick in the upcoming NBA draft in June, and high-quality point guards would be available. The most practical thing for the team to do is to let Rose go.
Jackson will push the triangle more next season
After another disastrous season, Jackson is reportedly looking to push the triangle offense more next season and would be more hands-on with mentoring his team. The Knicks president thinks that the triangle is still essential for a championship caliber team as he attempts another rebuild this off-season.
Jackson has fired coach Derek Fisher for not utilizing the triangle and hired Jeff Hornacek, who is an unusual choice for having no experience at all with the triangle. However, Jackson reportedly thinks that Hornacek is unable to control his players.
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