Melo: 'The chips will be on the table' in meeting with Jackson
Now that the New York Knicks have been eliminated from the postseason, excitement turns to player exit interviews. Carmelo Anthony touched on that Monday, and admitted his will likely be a spirited one with team president Phil Jackson when the time comes.
"The chips will be on the table in that meeting," Anthony said, according to the New York Daily News' Stefan Bondy.
Related: Melo says if time in N.Y. is over, then he and Phil Jackson should talk
It's no secret that Jackson has been trying to get Anthony to waive his no-trade clause for at least three months. The pair reportedly discussed the issue in January, with Anthony apparently reiterating his desire to remain in New York. Whether that attitude has changed wasn't completely clear Monday, as Anthony went the cryptic route with reporters' questions.
"I see the writing on the wall," he said. "You don't know what the writing is on the wall, though, but I see it."
Despite his life being firmly planted in New York, Anthony has conceded that he would consider waiving the no-trade clause if the Knicks choose to initiate a rebuild of sorts.
At this point, there is little reason for the organization not to. This season will be the Knicks' fourth straight out of the playoffs (and 10th in 13 years), and many feel it's time to turn the franchise player reins over to 21-year-old Kristaps Porzingis. Anthony turns 33 next month, and New York's veteran additions last summer - Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah - did not pan out, with both having their seasons end early.
It is abundantly clear at this point that there is no love lost between Anthony and Jackson, and with the latter unlikely to go anywhere soon, a parting of ways would be for the best.
Anthony continued that rancor Monday, basically applauding Scottie Pippen for his remarks that sympathized with him while ripping Jackson.
"I'm just glad people are speaking up,” Anthony said. "Whether it's good or bad, people are speaking up having their opinion rather than me trying to convince or not convince people of the situation of what's going on and I can just play basketball. Everybody sees what’s going on."