The New York Knicks didn't get any of the big free agents they were hoping to get this offseason, but their roster has undergone a major overhaul. All in all the Knicks roster looks much improved after the worst season in franchise history and they hope to get a fully healthy Carmelo Anthony back next season. As for how much influence Anthony has had on Phil Jackson and the Knicks' offseason moves, Jackson reportedly said none, according to SI.com.
You hear it a lot nowadays in the NBA that star players are very involved in recruiting free agents and planning along with the team what kind of moves they will try to make. LeBron James does it all the time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but apparently Anthony isn't on that level. Jackson reportedly said he hasn't even spoken to Melo about the team's moves in free agency.
After the Knicks drafted Kristaps Porzingis with the fourth pick in the draft about a month ago, Anthony reportedly wasn't happy with the selection, saying "are we supposed to wait two or three years for this guy?" to a close friend, according to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News. At this point it seems like Anthony and Jackson don't have the greatest of relationships, as Jackson came to New York with the promise of winning right away but the roster isn't built to win anytime soon.
Regardless of how tumultuous their relationship is or gets, Anthony will be in New York for the foreseeable future. Melo still has four years left on his contract for about $101.5 million and he is going to collect all of that money while with the Knicks because there likely aren't any teams that are willing to take on that contract for a guy that hasn't proven to be a winner since college.
The contract Anthony signed is one of a few reasons why the Knicks are not in a position to win now. His huge contract hasn't left much room for the Knicks to bring in top-tier talent while also being able to fill out a solid roster. Also, at this point, the Knicks are not a destination team in the NBA. They are coming off a 17-win season, and Jackson said that in order to make New York a destination again the Knicks are going to need to win.
