Carmelo Anthony is no longer an option for the Cleveland Cavaliers with the New York Knicks choosing to part ways with Phil Jackson and keep Anthony in the Big Apple.
With the New York Knicks and president of basketball operations Phil Jackson parting ways this morning, the likelihood that Carmelo Anthony will request a buyout or trade from New York and join the Cleveland Cavaliers has taken a big hit. Essentially, Jackson was the common denominator in every factor contributing to Anthony’s desire to leave New York.
Jackson would single Anthony’s performances out publicly in the media, alienating Anthony (and the player who idolized him, Kristaps Porzingis).
Jackson would also insist that the Knicks run an antiquated offensive system in New York, the triangle offense.
The triangle is an read-and-react offensive system that the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers used to dominate in the 1990s and early 2000s. However, the game has become much more free-flowing, using motion offenses that may incorporate elements of the triangle into certain sets but not make it the foundation of their system. In a sense, Jackson’s insistence on using the triangle offense was a sign that he wasn’t capable of adapting to a league that’s becoming perimeter-oriented.
While Anthony would take the high road with the media when they asked for his thoughts on Jackson’s comments about him, he was also willing to waive his no-trade clause in order to go to the Los Angeles Clippers or Cleveland Cavaliers before last year’s deadline. Marital issues with his wife have seemingly shifted Anthony’s focus to remaining around his son, according to his wife LaLa Anthony. However, Anthony still showing interest in leaving the Knicks via buyout according to ESPN’s Marc Stein and was just recently showing interest in playing for the Philadelphia 76ers or Washington Wizards according to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.
The Cavs, who employ one of Anthony’s best friends in LeBron James, would also be a natural landing spot for Anthony. They’re championship contenders and, as previously mentioned, one of the teams Anthony would have waived his no-trade clause to play for.
Nonetheless, with news that Jackson is out in New York, Anthony can play out the rest of his contract peacefully. According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, one factor in the owner James Dolan’s decision to let Jackson go was their decision as an organization to keep Anthony in the Big Apple.
Conversations between Jackson and Knicks owner James Dolan accelerated this week when the Knicks decided they would NOT buy out Carmelo
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) June 28, 2017
Anthony has two years remaining on the five-year, $124 million contract he signed with the New York Knicks in 2014. He’s owed a total of $54 million over the next two seasons.
With Anthony no longer a buyout option, Jimmy Butler already being traded (to the Minnesota Timberwolves) and the Indiana Pacers hesitant to trade with the Cavs and Denver Nuggets (per Sam Amico of AmicoHoops), the Cavs’ aggressiveness in the offseason has yet to pay off.
Maybe they can get Rudy Gay to sign a one-year deal in Cleveland.