If New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony does want to re-sign with the Knicks, president Phil Jackson will be expecting him to take a pay cut. Jackson plans to hold Anthony to the All-Star's word that he will take less money, and if a deal can't be reached, Jackson is prepared to move forward without him.
Anthony mentioned in February his willingness to take less money if it helps his team, something Jackson plans to hold him to during contract negotiations this summer.
"We hope that Carmelo is true to his word," Jackson said Wednesday, via ESPN. "We understand what it's going to take, and we will present that to him at that time."
Jackson pointed to the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat as examples of championship-caliber teams whose stars took less money to help field a more competitive roster.
"I think [there is] a precedent that's been set," Jackson said. "Because the way things have been structured now financially for teams is that it's really hard to have one or two top stars or max players, and to put together a team with enough talent, you've got to have people making sacrifices financially."
Anthony declared in October he would opt out of his contract this summer and test the free agency market. The Knicks are believed to be his preferred choice, but the Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers are expected to make a run at him.
Although Jackson has said he wants to re-sign Anthony, he indicated on Wednesday the Knicks would be fine moving forward if a new deal with the New York native can't be reached.
"I'm all about moving forward," Jackson said. "Just deal with what is and move forward. If it's in the cards, man, are we fortunate. If it's not in the cards, man, are we fortunate. We're going forward anyway."