New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony wants to finish his career as a Knick. The team, meanwhile, appears to be getting ready to pursue Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant as a free agent in 2016, creating the possibility of a Durant-Anthony frontcourt.
Anthony may have flirted with the idea of leaving the Big Apple this summer, but the New York native now plans to finish his NBA career with the Knicks. After experiencing free agency for the first time, Anthony never wants to do it again.
"I plan on ending my career here, so it wasn't for me to go out there and try to strike a two-year deal and then have to go through this situation in two years," Anthony told the New York Post on Thursday. "I'm not doing that ever again. I would never do that again. I would advise no one to ever do that. I experienced it and it's behind me."
The Chicago Bulls, one of Anthony's top suitors, reportedly offered him a two-year contract - something he rejected.
With Anthony under contract for the next five years, Knicks president Phil Jackson can now begin rebuilding the team around the perennial All-Star. Jackson's eyes already appear to be on the summer of 2016, when Durant's current contract is set to expire.
In preparation for 2016, Jackson seems to be adding pieces to his coaching staff that make New York an even more attractive option for the Thunder star. First was the hiring of head coach Derek Fisher, a former teammate and friend of Durant. The latest pot-sweetener was the hiring of longtime Thunder assistant coach Brian Keefe, who reportedly has a close relationship with Durant.
Per the New York Post:
"Durant, a free agent in 2016, is very close to Keefe, according to an NBA source. Keefe had been with Oklahoma City for seven seasons - the first two as developmental coach - before being promoted to assistant. The hire, unofficially made in mid-July, can't hurt the Knicks' pitch for Durant if they still have cap space to spend that summer.
"'He's Durant's guy,' the league source said."
Although Durant and Anthony both play the small forward position, Anthony has proven to be efficient in the 4-spot.
The only thing for certain is Durant hasn't committed to staying in Oklahoma City beyond his current contract. If Durant does hit the market, New York, the Washington Wizards and the Houston Rockets are expected to be among his top suitors.
