THE BIG THREE
K cks k s t k M s t r rt R ck ts, B s r fr t-r rs
The Knicks still like their odds with Carmelo Anthony following their meeting in Los Angeles with Anthony and his agent Leon Rose on Friday night.
Despite a report Anthony was “leaning’’ toward leaving the Knicks because of interest in the Bulls and Rockets, Knicks officials did not seem alarmed, according to NBA sources.
According to a source close to president Phil Jackson, “The meeting went well — [Anthony] will still most likely opt out — but all in all, a good meeting.’’
The Knicks were informed about two weeks ago Anthony would still likely opt out at the June 23 deadline and become a free agent July 1, despite Jackson’s suggestion he waits a year for free agency.
The Knicks are well aware Anthony wants to explore his options, but wonder if the Bulls and Rockets are capable of getting under the salary cap to make a real play. A Yahoo! report branded the Bulls and Rockets as the frontrunners, but both teams are over the salary cap.
However, they are more finished products than the Knicks, and Jackson’s blueprint of signing free agents with cap space in 2015 and 2016 are based on hope. The Knicks still want Anthony to take a pay cut despite no guarantee of signing star players, and Anthony’s agent could be putting the pressure on Jackson to up the ante.
Still, the Rockets and Bulls have their work cut out for them. Chicago would have to amnesty starting power forward Carlos Boozer, probably trade Taj Gibson without taking anyone back then not be able to sign their 2011 draft pick from Europe, Nikola Mirotic.
The Rockets would have to trade former Knick Jeremy Lin and power forward Omer Asik without taking anyone back.
“It’s doable but very hard,’’ one league source said of the Bulls and Rockets scenariost.
The Rockets could engage the Knicks in sign-andtrade talks, but it’s unlikely Jackson would agree to that unless he could lose Anthony without compensation, say, to the Lakers, who are under the cap. However, the Lakers don’t appear interested unless they get a cut rate on an Anthony-LeBron James package.
Interestingly, last week on Huffington Post Live, Lin suggested he wouldn’t mind playing for the Knicks again, and praised new coach Derek Fisher.
“I’ve always said the New York fan base has embraced me like no other,’’ Lin said. ‘I definitely haven’t forgotten about it. I’m still extremely grateful for it and I’ve always said, if there’s a right opportunity, I definitely wouldn’t be like, “no, never.” I for sure would be open to anything.”
Lin added about Fisher: “I think I could [play for him]. To be honest, I think anybody could. I think he just immediately commands your respect. He’s a great, great player, a proven winner. He’s very successful and he’s very knowledgeable. He’s been a point guard, he’s been a leader all his career.’’