NBA Rumors: New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony has until June 23 to opt in
The biggest story line off of the court during the 2013-2014 NBA season – the probable free agency of New York Knicks’ star forward Carmelo Anthony – will continue to be the biggest story of the offseason.
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However, that soap opera could last another year.
Knicks’ president Phil Jackson has spoken to Carmelo Anthony about playing out the final year of his contract in the 2014-2015 season rather than opting out of his deal to test the market. Jackson said that he and Anthony have been communicating and Anthony would “think about” opting into his deal.
Most players who hold the type of contract Anthony has have until June 30 to decide what they are going to do next season, but according to a source of Marc Berman of The New York Post, Anthony only has until June 23 to make his decision.
"According to a source, Anthony’s contract states he has until June 23 to notify the Knicks whether he will opt out……The advantage from both sides of delaying free agency is it gives them more information on what sort of pay cut Anthony would have to take for the team to lure free agents in the summer of 2015, when the Knicks will have cap space and LeBron James could be available. It would prevent Anthony from taking a needless reduction if the Knicks can’t recruit anyone in 2015 and give him impetus to bolt.The risk would be, if Anthony were injured during the 2014-15 season, it would hurt his market value, but Jackson said insurance policies would alleviate those fears."
Anthony averaged 27.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game last season.