The New York Knicks currently hold the eleventh spot in the Eastern Conference where LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers are holding the lead. Although the Kristaps Porzingis team showed a notable improvement from their record last NBA season, they remain unable to compete with the likes of the Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, and Miami Heat. In fact, the New York Knicks is widely recognized for their tendency to rely on one NBA star only: Carmelo Anthony.
Anthony has been the center of NBA trade talks since the New York Knicks finished last season with an embarrassing 17-65 record. This result prompted fans to speculate on the possibility of the NBA veteran to leave the team. In fact, basketball squads such as the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly inquired about Anthony's availability.
While the New York Knicks remained mum on the issue of Anthony's future, the NBA All-Star hinted at his desire to play alongside iconic basketball players in the league. This would have been the case if he accepted the offer to join the Kyrie Irving squad where he could have played with King James. The same would have been possible in the Chicago Bulls where Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler can help him carry the team.
"I think everybody kind of dreams and hopes that they can play with another great player, another star player. It's a star player's league," shared Anthony via the New York Daily Post. He added, "I think that's what we talk about when we all get together - 'I want to play with you, I want to play with you.' Even here different guys say, 'Come play with me, come play with me.' So that's always the mindset. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it don't. But I think everybody that's in my situation, that's in my position, they all want the load off especially the older they get. Because you realize you just can't do it all by yourself. Everybody knows that."
Despite these dreams, Anthony chose to re-sign with the New York Knicks. The NBA-All Star veteran also shared the reason behind his firm determination to stay with his current team.
"I'm not going anywhere," said Anthony regarding the NBA trade rumors surrounding him, according to a separate New York Daily Post report. He continued to say, "Doing it in New York is better than doing it any place in the world. One championship in New York is better than multiple somewhere else. That was the reason I wanted to come to New York. That's the reason I'm in New York."
"I don't want to run. I could have ran somewhere when I was a free agent. I came back for a reason. I came back because I want to be here. I don't feel like I got to keep expressing that part of why I came back to New York," he added.
Although Anthony is determined to stay with the New York Knicks, some experts feel that the NBA should convince the All-Star to waive his no-trade clause. That is, the Derrick Williams team must try to eliminate Anthony and his huge salary to attract more players. The New York Knicks have reportedly explored this move before the NBA trade deadline.
Among the names thrown in the rumors linked to the New York Knicks is Ricky Rubio. The Minnesota Timberwolves star had been the center of NBA trade rumors following the success of Zach LaVine during the All-Star weekend. With the younger Minnesota Timberwolves star gunning for the starting position, Rubio's job appears to be in danger.
His precarious position in the Minnesota Timberwolves, later on, attracted the attention of the New York Knicks who are reportedly searching for a point guard, according to another New York Daily Post report. However, Anthony's refusal to leave the team made the deal impossible. Moreover, the 0-7 slump of the New York Knicks due to Anthony's absence bolstered the belief of the squad on the necessity to keep the All-Star veteran in the roster.
