Melo and the Knicks are currently on a 7-game losing streak, their second longest losing streak of the season (NYK lost 9 straight from 11/14 - 12/01) with no signs that they will improve any time this season.
This will be Anthony's first season that he will miss the playoffs in his 11 season career. The team record isn't all Anthony's fault, especially considering he is having one of the best statistical seasons of his career.
Somethings that he doesn't have control over are things such as the Amar'e Stoudemire project, which could go down as one of the biggest waste of money on a player in Knicks history (Stoudemire is the highest paid player on the Knicks and will earn $21,679,893 this season). The play of his guards, most specifically Raymond Felton has been horrendous, and Tyson Chandler, who was the defensive player of the year before he came to New York but has been a shadow of himself this late in his career.
Carmelo has always been considered a great player but he has also been known to be a lousy leader on the court. He could of had a better influence on his team throughout season, such as having a talk with JR Smith who has become an elementary school kid on the court this season.
He has improved from the "Kobe-esque" roll where he thought he was the only player on the court during games and he has improved his team skills but unfortunately his leadership ability has seemed to be non-existent.
Carmelo is set to make $21,388,953 this season and will be looking to increase his pay for his next contract. The Knicks will definitely have no problem handing out the big bucks to keep the 7x All Star but because of their issues with recruiting a bad group to accompany Melo, he may want to leave all the extra money on the table and look to join a club that will improve his chances of getting a ring.
If Melo does decide to stay in New York for another 5 years he would doing so with the understanding that this Knicks front office has wasted a lot of assets. The New York Knicks have traded away all of the picks they are allowed to trade up until 2018 and the same players on the roster now will not change much going into next season. It's a tough sell for New York with all of their hopes hanging on an extra $30 million they will be able to offer with the New York market to add to his profits along with owner James Dolan vying to bring another Super-Star to New York, although finding that star may be harder than it appears with their shamble of a team they have now.
The likely landing spot for Anthony should he choose to leave the "Big Apple" are the Chicago Bulls or the Los Angeles Lakers at this moment.
However if Melo does decide sign with another team next season he will be leaving a 5-year contract worth somewhere around $130 million for only a 4-year contract worth closer to $95 million. That's a huge chunk of money he would leave on the table but when your chasing a championship, which Melo should be in full chase mode at this point of his career, I think the money should take a backseat to your legacy.
So what it all boils down to for Melo is, will he be willing to take less money for a better shot at a title or will he take the big money and become satisfied with being on a low-to-mediocre squad to finish off the prime of his career. My bet is that he takes the big money, but I really hope that I am wrong because Melo is too great of a talent to be wasted under the New York Knicks management.
Melo end up being another great that leaves the league without a championship, following in the footsteps of Stockton, Malone, Barkley and so many other Hall of Fame players.
Follow me on Twitter - @therealrikrok89
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