New York Knicks: What are the risks and rewards of trading Carmelo Anthony

As we inch closer and closer to the NBA Trade Deadline, it seems there are constantly several big names being thrown around as being on move. It seems that one of those names being thrown around is Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks. It seems that Anthony has been part of the Knicks organization for a long time, but he has only been part of the Knicks since 2011. As the Knicks continue to struggle, there has been more of an out cry from Knicks fans who want to see them trade the former Syracuse player.

[Jon]

Where it has been difficult to trade Carmelo Anthony is that he has a no-trade clause in his contract. What that means is that he can basically decide where he wants to be traded to and has already gone on the record that he is very limited on the teams he would go to. They are the Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics, and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Unfortunately, due to the Knicks team president Phil Jackson taking shots at Anthony on Twitter, teams have become hesitant in wanting to do any business with the Knicks. But with all that being said, I will now be looking at the advantages and disadvantages of trading Carmelo Anthony.

Let us first look at the disadvantages. Right off the back and probably the biggest one is where his value currently stands within the rest of the NBA. While Phil Jackson has gone out of his way to make Carmelo Anthony look bad, there needs to be some blame placed on Anthony. Since he joined the Knicks in 2011, it seems that he is the one who is constantly making the shots and is becoming a ball hog. Another risk that can happen to the Knicks by trading Carmelo Anthony is that you lose leadership.

In all honesty, I can’t see guys Joakim Noah, Derrick Rose, Brandon Jennings and others staying here long. I mentioned those guys because they are the ones other than Carmelo Anthony who have experience. In order to succeed well in the NBA, you need to have leaders to help the younger guys out. Unfortunately, there is a strong chance that the Knicks could lose most of there leadership within the next few years. Another risk by trading Carmelo Anthony is who can replace him for the short term and long term. There isn’t anyone who the Knicks are grooming to take over for Carmelo Anthony, so if you trade him then who can replace him. Now let us look at the advantages of trading Carmelo Anthony.

One advantage for trading Carmelo Anthony is that you can get younger. While you want to have some veterans on your team, you want to have younger guys who can play for a long time. Another reward that comes from trading Carmelo Anthony is that you can possible get some younger guys and draft picks. While I am sure no Knicks fan wants to hear draft picks, I am sorry to break it to you but you may not have an option. Due to the latest drama that is going on with the Knicks, it seems very unlikely to see any big name players signing with this organization. So the only option to start building a foundation is through the foundation. If you look at what the Warriors have done over the last few years is that they have drafted correctly and as the saying goes, the rest is history.

The NBA Trade Deadline is February 23^rd and it will be interesting to see if we do see any big moves happen. Might Carmelo Anthony have a new home as March rolls around, we shall see and stay in touch with the Inscriber Magazine as we will provide all the latest news surrounding the NBA Trade Deadline.