Courtside
Anthony L. Cuaycong
Before anything else, let’s make one thing clear: There is mutual interest for the Knicks and Carmelo Anthony to part ways. Each no longer wants to be associated with the other, and is looking to find ways to extricate from a deal that runs through 2019. Which is why his name has figured prominently in trade scenarios percolating in hoops circles. Most recently, he has been the prime target of the Rockets and the Cavaliers, the two destinations he deems viable enough for him to waive the no-trade clause in his contract.
That said, the Knicks and Anthony would do well to accept a future that has them continuing to work together. And the problem isn’t predicated only in the capacity of the player to choose his destination. Because he is due some $54 million over the next two seasons, the willingness of potential partners to take him in is tempered by their inability to pool the talents needed to match his price tag. More importantly, these talents will have to meet the requirements of the franchise which still employs him. It’s why the Rockets, his priority, require a third — and even a fourth — party to join in on negotiations.
Needless to say, the Knicks want a significant infusion of youth. The problem is that their pronounced desire to be rid of Anthony has weakened their bargaining position. And it’s not as if their asset holds a relatively high value to begin with. He may be a genius on offense, but his ball-dominant predilections in isolation have become negatives in the pace-and-space era. Moreover, his career-long aversion to exert the proper effort at the other end of the floor is accentuated by his advancing age. In other words, he’s an acquired taste whose worth can be recognized only under the right circumstances.
So, short of a buyout happening anytime soon, the Knicks are stuck with Anthony, and vice versa. Unfortunately, the bad blood will linger, and the toxic environment isn’t likely to coax the best out of a lame duck left to count the days. There’s longing for a divorce, hence the major disincentive for belonging to a common cause. Nobody wins and everybody loses, the fans most of all.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is the Senior Vice-President and General Manager of Basic Energy Corp.
