New York Knicks Planning To Allow Carmelo Anthony To Build Own Team In 2015

The New York Knicks are hoping the caveat of allowing Carmelo Anthony to pick his own teammates through free agency will help keep him in a Knicks uniform beyond 2014.

Anthony has a player option after the 2013-14 season that allows him to become an unrestricted free agent. Rumors are circulating that the Los Angeles Lakers are planning to target him as part of a rebuilding effort that could also include fellow potential free agent LeBron James.

But according to Hoopsworld.com, the Knicks are planning to allow Anthony to play the role of Dwyane Wade and recruit his own teammates. Following the 2010-11 season, Wade recruited James and Chris Bosh to Miami, forming the "Big 3" and leading to back-to-back NBA titles for the Heat.

According to news reports, only Pablo Prigioni, J.R. Smith, Raymond Felton and rookie Tim Hardaway Jr. will be under contract with the team after 2014, giving the Knicks almost unlimited flexibility in who they chose to pursue. Even if all four were to return, the Knicks would still have around $14 million available to them under current salary cap parameters.

Besides Anthony and James, stars LaMarcus Aldridge, Andrew Bynum, Marc Gasol, DeAndre Jordan, Tony Parker, Zach Randolph and Rajon Rondo are also slated to become free agents that summer.

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