Carmelo Anthony makes pitch for Rajon Rondo, says he's a 'perfect' fit for Knicks
The New York Knicks are, allegedly, trying to return at least a modicum of consistency to the franchise.
For many, many Knicks-ish reasons, the road to this calm, predictable destination will almost certainly be longer than fans would wish.
The good news is that the first step is an obvious one: bring in someone capable of filling the yawning gap at point guard—a leak the Knicks are currently plugging with Langston Galloway (sometimes good), Sasha Vujacic (demonstrably bad) and Jose Calderon (Jose Calderon).
To this end, the Knicks began point guard triage in earnest Monday morning, with the team keying in on a possible long-term stashaway in Tony Wroten.
According to The Vertical's Shams Charania, the Knicks are looking to squirrel the former Philadelphia 76ers guard away on a potential two-year contract that may see him taking point if he can make an effective return from a torn ACL suffered in January.
The Wroten signing could turn out to be a fine, forward-looking move for New York. But as Carmelo Anthony made it known Monday, he's looking for a big name at point guard now.
Specifically, Anthony's looking to get Rajon Rondo in the door at Madison Square Garden and lock up an alliance reportedly years in the making.
According to the NY Daily News's Stefan Bondy, the New York Knicks forward went on the record Monday expressing his desire to have a bigger hand in recruiting free agents to the team—with Rondo being his first target.
"I think Rondo—just me personally, I don't want to be tampering—but I've heard he said he wouldn't thrive in a system like [the Knicks']," Anthony said. "I think he'd be perfect in a system like this."
Carmelo continued, saying the system can accommodate guards who get by on penetration and vision in lieu of jumpers:
"It is a misconception about that. Some of the keys of our offense is penetration, getting in the paint. Pushing the pace, transition. Creating in the paint for bigs, for yourself, everybody else. I think a point guard would love that. Especially a point guard who can penetrate, create for yourself, create for others. I think it's a perfect opportunity for [Rondo]."
Of course, Anthony will be fighting an uphill battle across burnt bridges in order to bring the Sacramento Kings point guard into the fold.
For starters, Rondo's already gone on the record as doubting his ability to operate within the framework of the Knicks' triangle offense.
"The triangle's not really a good look for me, I don't think," Rondo said in February.
Deepening the issue, then-Knicks head coach Derek Fisher responded to Rondo's comments by remarking, in so many words, that the Kings guard can't even play against the triangle—so what does he know?
"You can't ask a guy that wasn't very successful playing against [the triangle] whether or not he wants to come play in it," Fisher said in response. "So that's his opinion, that's fine. He doesn't play for us. So we're not concerned about his opinion about us at this point."
So yeah, should be a fun offseason for New York, who'll have a limited point guard market to consider and cap space to clear if a max deal is in the air. On the plus side, Anthony told reporters Monday he wants to be at the center of any free agent talks the Knicks are having.
"Put me at the head of the [meeting] table," Anthony said. "And let's go to work."
Just give him a tophat, some cash and five minutes, guys. Carmelo will win this offseason singlehandedly.
Dan is on Twitter. He's all for any deal that brings more crazy people to New York.
