The Knicks must be feeling pretty nervous right now after their superstar Carmelo Anthony decided to opt out the final year of his contract with the team and decided to test the free agency waters and entertain other suitors.
Whats even worse, reports are flying everywhere that Carmelo Anthony has been doing some research on the Bulls - the team widely considered to be the front runner in the Melo sweepstake - who has a roster that is far better than what the Knicks have right now with Joakim Noah manning the middle and doing the dirty work and Derick Rose who could be back at full health next season.
The Knicks however are surprisingly confident with their chances in retaining Carmelo Anthony this offseason. ESPN.com reported last weekend that the New York Knicks, even though their super star is about to be courted heavily by winning teams in the opening day of the free agency, are apparently optimisitc about their chances of resigning Anthony. Sources revealed that newly hailed Knicks president Phil Jackson has "connected" with Anthony.
But aside from Jackson's "connection" with the super star, sources also reveal that the Knicks president intends to make a serious run on recruiting his former Lakers center Pau Gasol to replace the void left by Tyson Chandler after he was traded to the Mavs, although it would be hard to acquire Gasol given the fact that the Knicks can only offer the Spaniard less than $4 million for next season.
The Knicks also believe that they were better off in trading Chandler to the Mavs which in turn replaced the reeling Raymond Felton for a veteran point guard and clutch shooter in Jose Calderon. The Spanish point guard was key to the Mavs reentry to the playoffs and has been a beloved teammate not only in Dallas but in every team that he has played for. The Knicks believe that Anthony will relish the idea of playing with a point guard with the qualities of Calderon.
But most importantly, the Knicks is the only team that can offer Melo five years and $129 million for a maximum contract. If its money and security that Melo is looking for, then he is better off with the Knicks. And while Melo may certainly be intrigued by the prospect of playing with a contender like the Bulls, Rockets, and Mavs, he also still loves the Madison Square Garden stage dearly. His wife and son loves New York and Melo has already revealed that family is on top of his priority when making his decision as a free agent this summer.
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