Phil Jackson says Carmelo Anthony signed to give New York Knicks more flexibility in the future
By Wes Goldberg
After flirting with the Chicago Bulls and Houston Rockets this summer, Carmelo Anthony re-signed with the New York Knicks for $5 million less than the maximum. Phil Jackson says that’s all part of the plan.
More from NBA
- NBA insider: Cavaliers should consider trading Donovan Mitchell
- NBA rumors: Hawks trade candidate, Sixers miss out, Lakers almost lose Reaves
- NBA insider explains real reason the Grizzlies were done with Dillon Brooks
- Knicks projected lineup and rotations heading into 2023-24 season
- Rockets projected lineup and rotations heading into 2023-24 season
For some reason, Carmelo Anthony took a lot of flack for the way he re-signed with the New York Knicks. Some people criticized him for taking too much money, some criticized him for not joining the Houston Rockets or Chicago Bulls in order to compete for a championship.
Melo ended up signing five-year, $124 million deal to stay in New York with first-year team president Phil Jackson–which is $5 million less than the maximum.
According to Jackson, that was done in order to maintain some cap flexibility, presumably for the summer of 2016’s loaded free agent class.
Phil Jackson says Carmelo, 30, is "still young enough to have some great years ahead of him." He signed Melo to a 5 yr deal this summer.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) October 12, 2014
On Carmelo's contract, Phil says Melo took less money to give the #Knicks flexibility in the near future. "And the the pie gets bigger. "
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) October 12, 2014
While players like LeBron James and Lance Stephenson took two-year deals in order to free themselves up for when the NBA’s new massive TV deal goes into effect and raised the salary cap, Anthony decided to lock himself into New York.
His $124 million deal doesn’t figure to come close to what the maximum salary could be in 2016, when some people have gauged the max could raise to around $30 million a year.
Instead, Anthony’s salary will fit comfortably under the new cap. That should give the Knicks an opportunity to make a run at guys like Kevin Durant, Joakim Noah and Al Horford. Jackson could be targeting 2015 as well, when Rajon Rondo, Marc Gasol and Roy Hibbert figure to hit free agency.
More from FanSided
- MLB Trade Grades: Dodgers land Amed Rosario from Guardians
- Colorado gives Pac-12 a possible death knell with move to Big 12
- NFL rumors: Dalvin Cook suitor maintaining very ‘real’ interest
- Braves get dose of bad news on Max Fried as ace nears return
- LA Galaxy vs. Club Leon Leagues Cup match rescheduled for July 26