The New York Knicks season was a disappointing one after they failed to reach the NBA playoffs. In fact, it’s the first time Carmelo Anthony has missed the postseason in his entire 10-year career, a note he called “embarrassing”.
Today the Knicks gave their exit interviews and Anthony was up first. Missing the playoffs with the Knicks comes at an extremely precarious time in his career as he plans to opt-out of his player option and become a free agent. With teams like the Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers knocking on his door, the decision will be one of the biggest he’ll make in his life.
“I want to come back…I also want to win,” Anthony said while surrounded by New York reporters. “I don’t know if I can afford another season of losing.”
The Knicks can only hope to retain Anthony with a larger and longer contract than any other team, five years, $129 million to be exact. However at 29-years old and more money than many can dream of, Anthony is past that aspect and is focused on a ring. “At this point in my career I’m not concerned about the money, its about winning. Nothing else even matters” he said.
As Anthony pointed out, he can’t afford another season of losing but it looks like that’s what’s on the Knicks horizon. With no draft picks and no cap space to make substantial moves, improving will be quite a task for new president of basketball operations, Phil Jackson. Anthony does hold Jackson in high esteem noting that Jacksons’ “knowledge and wisdom is something I could sit down and listen to all day long.” Whether it’ll keep him here remains to be seen.
Photo and quotes via Frank Isola of NYDN
– Shaina Auxilly (@Shay_Marie)
