New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony reportedly has already decided to leave the Big Apple as free agent after the season. Anthony is "convinced" re-signing with the Knicks isn't his best option, Stephen A. Smith of ESPN reports.
Smith said on Monday during ESPN's "First Take" that he was told Anthony has made up his mind to sign with another team in July.
"From what I'm being told, he's gone," Smith said. "And he's gone because he is of the mindset that in order to achieve any modicum of success, he would have to sacrifice not just this year but next year as well. ...
"The New York Knicks can do but so much to improve their circumstances for the immediate future, and Carmelo Anthony is starting to stare at his own mortality. He sees the window closing."
Smith is referring to the Knicks' salary cap situation and lack of trade assets as reasons why the Knicks can't improve in the immediate future. Assuming Anthony re-signs, the Knicks would already have more than $90 million on the books for the 2014-15 season, making it difficult to quickly retool this summer through free agency.
New York also doesn't have a first-round draft pick until 2018, and the hefty contracts of Amar'e Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler, Andrea Bargnani and J.R. Smith limit their trade assets to guards Iman Shumpert and Tim Hardaway, Jr.
Smith also points to the controlling nature of Knicks owner James Dolan as another reason Anthony wants out.
"All of these kinds of things, the very invasive and the intrusive environment that is that of the New York Knicks, I'm being told that Carmelo is convinced this ain't the way to go, and he's on his way out the door," Smith said. "... I certainly haven't spoken to Melo about this, but I'm being told Melo is going to get out of (New York)."
Smith's report is the latest edition of the "will Carmelo stay or will he go" saga. Anthony, however, admitted on Monday the hiring of Phil Jackson made the Knicks look more attractive.
Anthony, 29, is eligible to opt out of his contract and become a free agent in July.
