New York Knicks
First things first, let’s take a look at the team who Anthony most recently played for. The Knicks are the last team that the free agent will meet with, meaning they have an opportunity to make one final big impression on their franchise player.
The Knicks can offer Melo a five-year deal worth $129 million if they sign Anthony to a max contract. That’s a year longer and $34 million more than the four-year, $96 million all other teams can offer him. While it may seem like a no-brainer to go to a team closer to title contention, leaving that much money on the table is far from easy to do. Especially for a player who is likely looking at his final big contract.
But aside from the money, what do the Knicks really have to offer Anthony? The team is cash-strapped, and will continue to be so after signing Melo to a max deal. While Amar’e Stoudemire comes off the books next season (finally), the cap space he creates is enough to bring in one more All-Star caliber player. But in today’s NBA where super-teams are the only real contenders (unless you play in San Antonio), is this really a plan that will net Anthony title contention? Probably not.
But at the end of the day, it may all come down to that $34 million. Anthony just turned 30 a month ago, and with his next contract taking him to 34 or 35, there’s no guarantee that he will be able to recoup that money down the road. While winning is priority number one, money talks, especially when it’s more than $30 million. And with reports that teams are starting to doubt Melo will leave the Knicks, you have to think New York is the front-runner to land his services.
Melo Fit: 8/10
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