New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony is reportedly recruiting Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo to the Big Apple and is optimistic about the chances of Rondo becoming a Knick. Tyson Chandler, meanwhile, participated at practice on Monday.
The New York Knicks have long pined for Rondo. Steve Smith, both Rondo and Anthony's high school basketball coach at Oak Hill Academy, told USA Today High School Sports that Anthony is trying to convince Rondo to sign with New York once his contract expires in 2016.
"Whether he stays in Boston or not who knows," Smith said, via USA Today High School Sports. "I know, talking to Melo (Carmelo Anthony), he's recruiting Rajon to come to New York. Melo think he'll come too. You never know about that stuff though."
While a trade appears unlikely at this point, the report does support Anthony's declaration last month that he's trying to bring more star power to New York. The report also suggests Anthony plans to remain in New York when he opts out of his contract in the summer.
Rondo's contract expires after next season, but he's given no indication of his future plans. The 27-year-old is still rehabbing from last year's ACL surgery and anticipates making a return sometime this season, although has declined to give a timetable.
He's scheduled to meet with Dr. James Andrews, the doctor who performed the surgery, sometime in December, the Boston Globe reported.
The Knicks, meanwhile, appear one step closer to having their frontcourt bolstered by the return of Chandler.
Chandler, who suffered a broken leg on Nov. 5, participated in non-contact drills during Monday's practice. Despite his participation, Chandler doesn't anticipate returning to the court before Jan. 1, according to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.
