Phil on Melo: 'He'll be better off somewhere else'
New York Knicks president Phil Jackson confirmed Friday that the team will try to move Carmelo Anthony this summer.
"We've not been able to win with him on the court," Jackson told reporters at his end-of-season press conference, according to Tommy Beer of Basketball Insiders. "... I think the direction with our team, he'll be better off somewhere else."
Jackson appears to be indicating that the Knicks are prepared to undertake a full-scale rebuild, meaning Anthony won't be able to compete for a championship so long as he's in New York.
The franchise president said he told Anthony in his exit meeting: "You don't want to end up your career not winning," according to ESPN's Ian Begley.
While Jackson's candidness may be surprising, its implication isn't. The Knicks explored trade options for Anthony last season (losing his trust in the process) after Jackson had undercut him in the media.
Jackson also said the triangle offense hasn't worked due to "resistance," implying Anthony wasn't cooperative, according to Newsday's Al Iannazzone.
"There was a disconnect and there was a rebelliousness," Jackson said of the team, stating that will change. He added that the Knicks would want a "significant player" in return for Anthony.
Related: Melo subtly claps back at Jackson with social media posts
The issue is that Anthony ultimately remains in control of the situation, thanks to a no-trade clause in his contract. Perhaps Jackson's aim is to make the situation so toxic and uncomfortable that Anthony has no choice but to waive the no-trade. Jackson, after all, isn't going anywhere, having reached an agreement with Knicks owner James Dolan to exercise the mutual option on his own contract for the next two years.
Anthony may have dug in his heels this year, but it's looking increasingly likely that he'll be wearing a different uniform come opening night 2017.