Stars on bad teams are automatically put on the trading block by fans and the media. By the team itself? Not necessarily, but we’re going to hear a lot about the New York Knicks and Carmelo Anthony in relation to moving the player unless the Knicks start winning games this season.
It couldn’t have been much worse for the Knicks last season, finishing with the worst record in the Eastern conference at 17-65, with Carmelo Anthony shut down very early in the season. This offseason has been a bit more positive for the Knicks, with Kristaps Porzingis looking like a solid, promising pick that is going to need time to develop, while adding players like Robin Lopez, Arron Afflalo, Derrick Williams and Kyle O’Quinn should help the Knicks look at bit more respectable and who knows, maybe even good.
The fact that Anthony has a no-trade clause in his contract doesn’t matter. We’re going to hear about him wanting out of New York or the Knicks trying to get rid of his deal (worth $101 million for the next four seasons) if the Knicks have a bad start and carry on the same road they’ve been on for the last two seasons. The only way we’re going to have radio silence and not talk about Anthony wanting out of New York or the team looking to move him is the Knicks being in playoff contention, and in the East, it’s entirely possible, although don’t feel overconfident about it. There were plenty of people thinking of the Knicks as playoff contenders before last season began, until it exploded in their faces.