Big contracts mean Knicks are limited in their moves this summer.
According to the New York Daily News, the camp surrounding New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony does not want to wait until the franchise rebuilds in 2015.
The 29-year-old faces a difficult decision this summer as to whether or not his long-term future lies in the Big Apple, with money not an issue if previous comments are to be believed.
The Knicks have an advantage over their rivals for Anthony in the sense that they are able to offer more money across a five-year deal, whereas any interested parties could only offer less over four years.
However, with Melo insisting that he is focused on winning now as opposed to the financial aspects of his free agency decision, there are suggestions that he may not be willing to wait around until 2015 before the franchise make their moves.
Such is the organisation’s salary cap situation, they are unlikely to be in a position to sign significant names this summer, given the impact of the contracts of Amar’e Stoudemire, Andrea Bargnani and Tyson Chandler.
Combine those three with Anthony’s deal and they would be heavily restricted in bringing in new players capable of helping them improve on this season’s showing.
While that situation would change in 2015 when the Knicks could release themselves of the financial shackles and target free agents such as Rajon Rondo and Kevin Love, Anthony will be 31 by then and his window of winning an NBA championship would be closing.
Instead, speculation continues to link him with a move to the Chicago Bulls, although the Bulls management would have their own decisions to make if they are to make an offer.
While they are expected to use the amnesty clause on Carlos Boozer, they will only be able to offer roughly $14m a year for four years to Anthony, which would in turn allow them to keep important role players such as Taj Gibson and in turn maintain a deep roster.
However, if they were to trade Gibson they could offer close to $20m, but that would then naturally cut in to their depth and impact on their chances of winning a championship.
With the Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers and Miami Heat reportedly out of the running, the options are running out for Anthony and it is rapidly becoming a choice between the two Eastern Conference giants.
It is still expected that he will return with New York next season, but if they are unable to sell a plan of becoming a contender in the next year or so, then Anthony could look elsewhere.
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