Phil Jackson was the driving force behind the Knicks‘ push to trade Carmelo Anthony, but just because Jackson is no longer with the franchise, that doesn’t mean Anthony is a lock to play out his contract in New York, as Al Iannazzone of Newsday writes. With the Knicks embarking on a rebuild, Anthony doesn’t really fit into the club’s plans or its timeline, in Iannazzone’s view.
Meanwhile, Marc Berman of The New York Post hears that Jackson believed Anthony’s influence on Kristaps Porzingis was detrimental and that the veteran turned Porzingis against the Knicks’ triangle offense. Said one source: “Phil thought Carmelo was trying to sabotage him.”
While we wait to see how things play out with Anthony under new leadership in New York, let’s round up a few more Atlantic notes and rumors…
- Although the Celtics are willing to move players and draft picks in a possible Paul George trade, the club wants to hang onto the “most critical pieces” of its draft pick stockpile, says Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald. In other words, Boston is probably unlikely to include Brooklyn’s 2018 first-rounder in an offer to the Pacers.
- In a pair of tweets, Derek Bodner clarifies the Sixers‘ return in Wednesday’s Shawn Long trade, reporting that Philadelphia received $100K in cash and the Rockets‘ own 2018 second-round pick. The $100K in cash was the maximum the 76ers could receive before July 1, since the team was up against its limit for the 2016/17 league year.
- As of Wednesday evening, the Knicks hadn’t requested to speak to Raptors president Masai Ujiri, their reported top target to replace Phil Jackson, but if and when that happens, Ujiri will have a decision to make, writes Bruce Arthur of The Toronto Star. While Toronto would likely ask for significant compensation for Ujiri, the club would be willing to let him go if he wants to join the Knicks, says Arthur.
- Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer explains why he doesn’t think a reunion with Andre Iguodala would make sense for the Sixers.
None of the players liked the system. Well i cant say none but from what i have read, most of the players didn’t like the system. So to even assume that Melo was actively sabotaging Jackson”s efforts to have Porzingis buy into the triangle is not far fetched but not entirely accurate.
That clown was so delusional…as if Porzingis needed melo to tell him how ridiculous he was
If Jackson didn’t mess with players or force the triangle he would of been fine. They drafted well under him yes I know Clarence Gaines is the real guy behind scouting but he’s a Phil guy. And he never traded any picks away so he’s actually one of the President/GMs we have had in awhile sadly but yeah he had to go.
the 1st thing he did was trade a 1st rd pick to Toronto for Bargiani….he shouldve been fired for that.
Should have, not should of. Education is priceless.
So, how big is your glass house? How do you tell what’s window and what’s wall?