New York Knicks‘ Carmelo Anthony is willing to go the extra mile for a trade to Houston while Clyde Frazier talks Phil Jackson’s firing.
Carmelo Anthony doesn’t want to be with the New York Knicks anymore. So much so that he’s reportedly willing to give up serious money.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on “The Jump” that Anthony is ready to waive his $8 million trade kicker to go to the Houston Rockets. If that’s true, it gives the ten-time All-Star an even greater chance to team up with Chris Paul and James Harden in Mike D’Antoni’s offense.
Houston likely wasn’t worried about the trade kicker, as they’re all in on this season, but any less money is a good thing after paying a chunk to Harden with Paul’s free agency on the horizon.
Anthony remains permanently wavering on the trading block as of Friday. The new regime in New York is doing their best to try and build back up the trade value Phil Jackson destroyed. It can’t be easy.
Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier is one of (if not the) greatest Knicks of all time. He’s the franchise leader in assists and was the starting point guard on the only two championship teams in franchise history.
His opinion in New York carries a lot of weight, so when he says that he was “shocked” about Phil Jackson’s firing that means something.
Via Ian Begley of ESPN New York:
I was shocked when they released him. He gave me an opportunity to go to the draft representing the Knicks. I was hoping I could bring them some luck and we could do better than the eighth pick. But I was telling the kids that I was the first-round draft choice in 1967 and Phil was second round. He was my roommate, we were very close. So I was very disappointed that it didn’t work out for him.
Clyde goes on to praise new president Steve Mills, Scott Perry, and their idea for a youth movement going forward.
Frazier points out the Tim Hardaway Jr., in particular, and how “happy” he is to see New York’s former first-round pick back in town.