Target #2: Carmelo Anthony – Portland Trail Blazers – 2019-20 Salary: $2.16M (Expected: ?)

It sounds crazy, but bringing back Carmelo Anthony could really help get the Knicks back on track. After the 2016-17 season with the Knicks, a season in which Melo was an NBA All-Star, the Knicks traded Anthony to the Thunder for virtually nothing. It was a questionable move on the Knicks part, but many teams, including them, had given up on Carmelo Anthony and it seemed like his career may be over. 

Last season, the Portland Trail Blazers gave Carmelo Anthony one final shot and he stepped up big time next to Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. After taking on a role he had not been accustomed to his entire career, Carmelo thrived as the third option on Portland, averaging 15.4 points and 6.3 rebounds while shooting 43.0% from the floor and 38.5% from three-point range. 

Carmelo Anthony was one of the main reasons the Portland Trail Blazers even made the playoffs in the NBA Bubble and as a result, has regained the respect of NBA franchises. From Leon Rose’s and Scott Perry’s viewpoints, bringing back Carmelo Anthony will not only sit well with fans, but help future star R.J. Barrett in his young career. Using Melo as a mentor for the young phenom will prove beneficial for years to come with the Knicks and actually create positive energy within this organization, something that has not existed for years.

Leon Rose has a major connection with Anthony as well as he represented Carmelo as his agent before taking his role with the Knicks, making this signing even more significant for the Knicks if it happens. Signing Carmelo Anthony means that the Knicks believe in what he can accomplish at the end of his career and they want it to be in New York, where he spent 7 seasons prior. It is a feel good story if the Knicks do indeed bring Carmelo Anthony back and it is definitely not out of the question.