New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony has quite the decision to make – opt-out of his current deal, allowing him to hit the open market as a free agent or opt-in and play at least one more season with the New York Knicks.
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Of course, opting out doesn’t mean Anthony is leaving the Knicks as the two sides could still work out an extension, though, understandably New York doesn’t want Anthony to experience the pleasures of free agency and want to re-sign him before other courting teams can make their offer.
One thing opposing teams will struggle to match is championship rings, something that Phil Jackson and newly minted head coach Derek Fisher plan to use in their pitch to Anthony according to Adam Zagoria.
“Phil: I think I’ll have Derek wear all 5 of his rings the first time he comes in & talks to Carmelo and say this is what we’re working for.'”
If the tactic sounds a bit familiar, it’s because it is. Miami Heat president Pat Riley used the same sales pitch to both Chris Bosh and LeBron James when they were free agents before signing with the Miami Heat.
Riley reportedly put his collection of rings into a bag and dumped it out on the table in front of both players, even allowing Bosh to take them home with him.
It obviously worked to bring both of those players to South Beach, so will the absurd amount of rings shared by Jackson and Fisher be enough to keep Melo in the Big Apple?