The next off-season is a crucial one for the New York Knicks as the curtain falls on this one.
Carmelo Anthony has outlasted all predictions, most notably from Bill Simmons in Reddit where he claimed Carmelo won't make it through January. It's just two weeks to the deadline and Melo is still a Knick.
But the trade rumors never stopped and a more realistic projection of when Anthony will be traded (because many pundits believe it's a question of "when" not "if) emerges.
In a discussion on ESPN Insider, Kevin Pelton noted that the Knicks' goal for this season should be "to play well enough to convince free agents they can win in New York." It's because the Knicks do not own their draft pick so there is no incentive to tank.
Corollary to that declaration, the next question was on when they should trade Anthony. The answer is dependent on whom they can get in the off season.
"They should always be open to any trade that will make them a better team, but I don't think they should actively explore the trade market until this summer after taking a run at free agency," Pelton explained. "If New York can't land anyone notable, then it's time to consider retrenching with a younger core around Porzingis."
With such a wide open free agent market and so many teams with cap space, there are too many intangibles to consider. The clear answer to contend now or rebuild for the future question is not yet available to the Knicks.
However, there are some teams that may push the Knicks before the deadline. Hoops Habit claims the Chicago Bulls want Carmelo Anthony again, but the Bulls are now asset-strapped with Joakim Noah now injured and heading to free agency and Gasol also thinking of his options.
For both teams, their answers may lie in the offseason.
