New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony. (Photo : Getty Images)
The NBA trade rumors continue for the New York Knicks even after the season ends.
The season ended early for the Knicks, as they may have given up hopes of making the playoffs as early as a month ago. Now, the real challenge is to reload for next season without the benefit of a first round draft pick, which was the only bright spot for them this season when Kristaps Porzingis emerged into a real keeper.
The Knicks are limited to trades and free agent acquisitions. Corollary to that, Phil Jackson also needs to address the long-term coaching position-something Carmelo Anthony also wants to do.
The Zen Master recently stood firm in his decision to run the team his way-the triangle offense. Those who are looking for big names and major changes are likely to be disappointed as Jackson bared to Stefan Bondy of the NY Daily News.
"Only people I probably know will be in the interview process," Jackson said. "I will reach out to make connections to some people. But I've been in this position, in the NBA over 50 years, and I've seen a lot of situations where coaches end up coming in without simpatico with the general manager and those things don't work well. So someone who has compatibility with what I do as a leader would have to be in sync with what we do."
He even addresses the various speculation in the media: "A lot of your speculations that people have thrown out really have very little bearing on what we do. If you want to save either paper space or speculation, limit your speculations, that'll help out a lot."
His declaration eliminates the big names like Tom Thibodeau, Scott Brooks and even Knicks favorite Mark Jackson.
That may pose a problem as Carmelo Anthony wants the former Bulls coach Thibodeau, according to Frank Isola in a separate NY Daily News piece.
"A source close to Anthony insists that his preferred choice is Tom Thibodeau, a coach Jackson seems to have no interest in speaking to. "
Will Jim Dolan step in and intervene in the process? If he still continues to trust Jackson despite his insistence on the triangle and hereby limiting the coaching options (Jackson is even leaning on Rambis), the Knicks President may have to call Carmelo's bluff (or threat) that he wants to be a part of the decision making.
Melo cannot be traded off because of his no-trade clause but if he himself wants to go, Jackson must work with him on a destination.
This will be an acid test on Jackson's leadership. He managed to convince Anthony to stay, not he must make the complicated arrangement to make him go.
