Earlier this week, Carmelo Anthony, the star of the New York Knicks, openly admitted he will be testing free agency this offseason. While the move was widely expected, Knicks coach Mike Woodson wants his franchise player focused on this season, and not the future.
"If he's going to test it, he's got to test it. That's on him," Woodson said Thursday. "But at this point, he's got to worry about this season and this season only, because that's what's staring him in the face."
While 'Melo has used the phrase "test free agency," he's spent a lot of time assuring Knicks fans his decision doesn't necessarily mean he's bolting the Big Apple. "It's definitely an opportunity that I'm willing to explore and experience," Anthony said Thursday. "That not whatsoever means that I'm not coming back to New York or I don't want to be here in New York. So I don't want nobody to get that impression."
By opting out of his current deal, Anthony can now ink a maximum contract with the Knicks that will pay him $129.1 million over the next five seasons. Any other suitor can offer him just four years and $95.9 million. With that information, it seems likely 'Melo will re-up with his hometown team.
"It shouldn't weigh on him," Woodson said. "Melo's going to be fine. He's put himself in a great position.
"We're expecting big things from Melo. It's been that way since I've been here, and it's not going to change. He's a major centerpiece of what we've done here the last few years. That's important. [His performance] weighs heavily on this season."
Last season, Anthony was the most prolific per game scorer in the entire league, besting Kevin Durant who had won the previous three scoring titles. Anthony hung 28.7 points per game on his opponents last season, the second highest total of his career.
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