Phil Jackson admits he is desperately trying to convince star forward Carmelo Anthony to reconsider his plans to opt out of his New York Knicks deal this summer as part of a grand plan aimed at getting the struggling team back to respectability.
According to the New York Daily News, Jackson and Anthony recently dined together in Manhattan where talk of the Knicks surely had to be the primary item on the menu. Anthony has indicated he plans to become a free agent on July 1, the earliest he can formally opt out of his deal.
But now the Zen Master is calling foul, hoping to convince the league's No. 2 scorer to delay those intentions until at least the summer of 2015, a move that would give the Knicks added salary cap room to improve their undermanned roster.
"I told him it might be a good idea to hang in here and see what it's like for a year, and go out the next year," said Jackson. "But that's his option, that's what he's earned, and that's what's part of his contractual agreement. He has the right to do that. But I just offered that as: 'Look, this gives you an opportunity to see how this is going to change, see how we're going to get going, your relationship to the team and the coach and the system or whatever.'"
Carmelo Anthony leaving Knicks?
Reportedly, Anthony told Jackson he would "think about it," presumably as he also weighs expected overtures from the likes of the Bulls, Lakers, Rockets and Mavericks.
"I'm not losing sleep over it but I'm definitely concerned about the idea of a guy going into free agency," Jackson told The News. "It only takes one bidder out there that has the ability and can ruin your hopes and your chances.
"We will survive it," he added. "That's what I've said and we'll go forward. But this is a guy, we recognize his talent, and his skill is the kind of skill and talent that gets you through playoff games."
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