NBA Rumors: New York Knicks Deny Carmelo Anthony Trade; Kristaps Porzingis, Ron Baker Retain All-Star Mentor

Mar 31, 2017 12:08 AM EDT

The New York Knicks have been openly tagged in potential Carmelo Anthony trade throughout the season. In fact, teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers and Boston Celtics have been said to express interest in Kristaps Porzingis' mentor. However, it appears that the group is doing about face and now plans to keep the NBA All-Star instead.

 

The final nail the in the coffin that is the career of Carmelo Anthony with the New York Knicks is reportedly his spat with Phil Jackson. The exec has been outspoken with his disappoint over how the NBA All-Star leads the team and handles the plays. He has criticized Melo and how the veteran fails to execute the triangle properly. While many fear that these might be the end to the star's stay with the Kristaps Porzingis team, it appears that experts now come to the rescue and believe that it should be Phil Jackson to leave the New York Knicks.

"I just think he hasn't put the right pieces on the floor. I give a lot of credit to Carmelo, who has been very professional in getting through this 82-game season, and now he's being benched to some degree, they've taken a lot of his minutes away," said Scott Pippen of Phil Jackson's leadership in the New York Knicks. He added, "But this team really just hasn't had it. They haven't had it since Phil Jackson landed there."

Other stars are sympathetic of the state of the Carmelo Anthony contract with the New York Knicks. Bernard King, a New York Knicks legend, described the All-Star's situation as "tough."

"I know that Carmelo loves it here in New York. I know that he came back here when he was traded -- and particularly when he was re-signed -- with the idea that they would be in the position to win a title I can't imagine what that must be like for him, having to think about potentially leaving New York and going somewhere else and pursuing that goal," King stated. He further noted, "I'm just disappointed that he hasn't had the cast around him that really would take him to the next level and meet that desire of winning a championship," King said.

What do you think? Is it time for the New York Knicks to just let go of Phil Jackson instead? Will an extended Carmelo Anthony contract with Kristaps Porzingis be a good move for the team?