By now, it has been largely reported that the New York Knicks not only struck out on the big names in free agency, but they had a chance at a couple of them. LaMarcus Aldridge was seriously considering signing with the Knicks but was told he would likely play center, which was an issue for him and that led to him cancelling the meeting. Carmelo Anthony reportedly found out about that this week and was not happy about it, according to Matt Moore of CBS Sports.
Anthony has since moved on from this, as he and Aldridge have been together at Team USA training camp this week. Anthony has even said that he likes the moves the Knicks made this offseason, including drafting Kristaps Porzingis, who was the reason Aldridge would have had to play center, and signing guys like Robin Lopez and Arron Afflalo.
Aldridge was reportedly the one that told Anthony about the Knicks insistence on him playing center in New York, and Anthony proceeded to throw his headband when he was told this news. Anthony was of the mindset that the Knicks had a great chance to get Aldridge before this whole thing came up and based on everything Aldridge has said they really did.
At one point, Aldridge said he had started to recruit other free agents to possibly join him in New York, but once he found out he would be at center, he took the Knicks right off the list. Aldridge has been a power forward his whole career and has no interest in changing positions now.
The Knicks have decided that they want to put Porzingis at power forward and develop him to be the future of their franchise, which could understandbly make Melo a bit angry. Melo is now 31 years old and exiting the prime of his career, so his window for potentially winning a championship in New York is closing, but the Knicks are taking the long view. Phil Jackson and the rest of the Knicks organization knows that signing one free agent of Aldridge's ilk isn't going to make the Knicks a perenial contender, so they have decided to rebuild somewhat and the best way to plan for a better future is to develop your young draft picks.
Anthony now seems to be on board with the plan since he really doesn't have any other option, and while this move proved that the Knicks aren't going for quick fixes, it was likely the right move for success in the future.
