GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Phil Jackson says he has talked to*Carmelo Anthony*about postponing free agency, and the All-Star forward responded that he'll think about it. Anthony can opt out of the final year of his contract this summer and has repeatedly said that was his plan. But they met recently and Jackson says he told Anthony that ''it might be a good idea to hang in here and see what it's like for a year.''
The Knicks have three ways to go with Anthony: - Hope Anthony picks up his player option and plays the 2014-15 season for the Knicks at $23.4mil. - Try to sign him to a long-term deal. - Get what they can for him in a S&T. Not surprising that PJax is pushing for the first option because it's perfect for the Knicks...they keep Anthony, but make no long-term commitment to him. It's always hard to put yourself in a superstar's shoes, but if I'm Anthony, the one thing I'm not doing is picking up my one year player option for this season. Either I go for the money and make the Knicks sign me to a 5-year deal or I sacrifice some cash and move to another team that might get me a championship.
I don't expect Anthony to sacrifice cash for a chance at a ring so yes, I expect him to sign a new deal with the Knicks.
His agent has to be dead-set against him using his player option for this season and I can't blame him. He could get more from lots of teams.
That's my impression. It looks like NY can sign him for five seasons where all the rest can only sign him for four, even with a sign and trade. I guess NY could ship him at the deadline and 'Melo could sign a full deal after that if they wanted. I kind of like how Phil Jackson is just throwing it all out there. He seems to be approaching his job in an unconventional manner. I can't tell if it's good unconventional or bad unconventional. It'll be interesting to see how his tenure plays out.
That's right. What I'm saying is that, if Anthony wants to stay in NYC, he needs to sign a new deal. He should not play next season under his one-year player option.
What I'm saying is, "why?" If he exercises his option and then signs a new contract as a FA, he gets six years instead of 5. And the first year of his next contract will be a higher salary than if he signs a new deal now.
You assume a lot. Right now, Anthony is 30 years old and coming off a season where he scored 27.4 points and pulled down 8.1 rebounds per game. He can demand and get a max deal not only from the Knicks, but from several other teams (though no team can pay him as much as the Knicks). A year from now, well, tomorrow is promised to no one. That's why.
Yep. Injury is the risk, but he's been healthy enough. Unless he suffers some debilitating injury, he'll get max offers for four years anyhow. The reward is $25M-ish for that extra season alone. The 7.5% raises help, too.
Injury's not the only risk. He could just have an "off" season that calls into question whether father time is claiming a victim a bit early. He could be involved in a scandal that, rightly or wrongly, negatively affects his perceived value. The general economy could tank affecting consumer spending on high-priced NBA entertainment. I'm sure there are other circumstances that I'm forgetting. Shit happens. Again, if I'm advising him, my advice is get that cash now.
The advice seems to be play out your contract and become a FA. Love is doing it. Lu did it. Dwight did it. They all took, or are about to take, the risk you describe.
