The failure of the New York Knicks to get in the NBA playoffs 2016 does not bode well for the team. Their disappointing run had them held off way below LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference. With the championship window closing in on Carmelo Anthony, reports are now surfacing that he has open discussions for an NBA trade with the New York Knicks. What is more alarming for the Phil Jackson team is the fact that Kristaps Porzingis might have hinted at leaving the group, too.
The current NBA season had been quite promising for the New York Knicks. However, controversies eventually plagued the team. The exit of Derek Fisher, who was embroiled in a bitter love triangle against Matt Barnes of the Memphis Grizzlies, also wreaked havoc in the roster. The New York Knicks stars also struggled with injuries - with Kristaps Porzingis and Carmelo Anthony getting overplayed due to their teammates' shortcomings. It appears, however, that the two stars have had enough. Sources are claiming that Anthony wants out of the squad.
"Just an understanding of kind of a plan, a plan of action of what they're trying to do, what we're trying to do, what we're trying to accomplish here," said Anthony of his next moves following their failed NBA playoffs 2016 run. He added, "I don't really have -- I think everybody knows my questions that I have. So it's just a matter of them kind of being transparent with me. We talk. We have an open dialogue, an open conversation, about how we all can get better at this situation moving forward, what I can do to kind of help and kind of fill the holes that we need to fill at this point."
Anthony further shared, "[The meeting is going] to be open and honest about what's going on, about transparency, how we can make this situation better and what we're going to do to make this situation better. At the end of the day nobody loves this feeling, nobody wants to lose. We work too hard as players to be in this situation right now. Even though we almost doubled our wins from last year. We made some strides in certain areas. But now we got to continue to build on that."
While Anthony had been quite open of his desire to keep playing with the New York Knicks in the past, it looks like his recent comments are hinting on an ultimatum. In a previous Gospel Herald report, it was disclosed that the free agency of Kevin Durant might serve as the final condition of Anthony for the NBA team. That is, the New York Knicks must sign the OKC star if they want to keep the former Denver Nuggets veteran.
As for Porzingis, his responses regarding his future with the New York Knicks are also telltale signs of his possible exit soon. He said of his plans with the NBA team, "Soon I'll really sit down with my family, my brother Janis and make that decision." Porzingis added, "I have to listen to the people who are important. I haven't decided 100 percent yet. I'll sit down, calm, and make a decision."
