Free agent Carmelo Anthony's dream supposedly is to play with LeBron James in New York. In an effort to make that dream come true, Knicks president Phil Jackson reportedly is quickly trying to create salary cap space through trades in order to sign both Anthony and James in free agency.
Anthony, whom ESPN reports is waiting for James to make a decision in free agency before announcing his own, purportedly wants to stay in the Big Apple but with a revamped roster. The New York Post reported Anthony's "dream" is to play alongside James in a Knicks uniform.
"He really wants LeBron to come to New York," one source told The Post. "That's his dream right now. Phil is trying to get it done."
Although it's a longshot given the Knicks' lack of both salary cap space and tradable assets, Jackson reportedly is trying to create a miracle by finding trades that would create financial flexibility to sign Anthony and James.
Per The Post:
"According to a friend of Anthony's, Melo has held out faint hope Knicks president Phil Jackson can pull a miracle and clear out the necessary salary-cap space to get it done, but he is running out of time. Anthony's decision could come in the next couple of days.
"It would require Jackson to ship out Amar'e Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani's expiring contracts, and for Anthony and James to take less than the max. Iman Shumpert might have to be dealt, and the rights to Jeremy Tyler renounced.
Jackson could theoretically create $40 million in salary cap space if he doesn't take back any salary, according to the Post. Moving Stoudemire and Bargnani, though, would need nothing short of a miracle: Stoudemire is due $23.4 million and Bargnani is due $11.5 million next season.
Anthony is rumored to be torn between signing with the Knicks, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Chicago Bulls. James, meanwhile, is expected to re-sign with the Miami Heat, although the Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly also are in contention to sign the four-time MVP.
Failing to land James would likely lead Jackson to go after free agent Pau Gasol, another player whom Anthony reportedly wants to play with in New York.
