Carmelo Anthony
Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

One of the worst kept secrets in the NBA has finally been made public, Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks want to rid themselves of Carmelo Anthony.

Here’s the Zen Master finally opening up to the media about New York’s $26 million plus problem.

Or you can read the meat of the presser below via The Big Lead:

“We’ve not been able to win with (Anthony) on the court at this time. And I think the direction with our team is that he’s a player that would be better off somewhere else and using his talent somewhere where he can win or chase that championship.”

It’s amazing the amount of shit the New York Knicks are in and it hasn’t gotten any better under the direction of Jackson. Aside from the massive amounts of cash still owed to Melo, including the $26.2 million next season and the $27.9 million in 2018-19, you have to wonder what else Phil has under his sleeve to further bury this team. Remember the Zen Master was the same guy who thought a deal for the corpse of Derrick Rose was the right move or handing $72 million over to Joakim Noah and his 2.3 win share was going to put this team over the top. If anything, the contingent of Anthony and Noah is a typical one-two slap fest for a team who traditionally over pays for over hyped players.

To make matter worse for the Knicks, the ball is entirely in Anthony’s court as the veteran holds a no-trade clause and a player option on that $27.9 million dollar deal for the 2018-19 year. Which I assume he won’t leave on the table, especially given the direction his career is going.