New York Knicks: Three nuclear options to deal with Carmelo Anthony
By Eric Snyder
Take a stretch
It’s possible that the New York Knicks may keep Carmelo Anthony. Similarly, it’s possible that the Knicks take whatever trade they can get from Houston. There remains one last option that would truly be extreme.
Simply put, the Knicks could cut/buyout Carmelo and move on without him. Once the two sides agree on the buyout, New York could stretch the $54.1 million owed over five years. As recently as June, Marc Berman of the New York Post had reported on this option. In this option, both Carmelo and the Knicks would finally be free of each other.
The recent addition of Michael Beasley makes buying Carmelo out even more of an option. Beasley may have been a bust but he is still a solid scorer with experience. Furthermore, he plays the same position and in a similar way to Carmelo.
Moving on from Carmelo Anthony is something the New York Knicks want to do desperately. Whether they keep him, trade him or cut him there are no spectacular options remaining.
In many ways, Carmelo should be ashamed by his own stubborn choices. Likewise, the Knicks must be embarrassed they are even in this situation.
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When there are no good options, the nuclear option is the only choice. The New York Knicks have three separate nuclear options to use in their battle with Carmelo Anthony. There may be no good answer available but that doesn’t mean the Carmelo question is going away anytime soon.