One of the few assets the New York Knicks own is disgruntled star, Carmelo Anthony. Yet, his trade value has spiraled due to the comments of Phil Jackson.
It is in the best interest of the New York Knicks and their fans that Carmelo Anthony is traded this summer. An NBA trade is very much a sales process, where the perceived value of a player dictates the terms of the trade. Therefore, it is incumbent on each team to magnify the value of their available assets.
Can someone please tell this to Phil Jackson?
Beginning in the winter of 2016, Jackson consistently degraded Carmelo Anthony in interviews and press conferences. His thought process was clear: make Carmelo so mad that he demands a trade. Empowering Carmelo's pride is a risk that Phil made into a reality. As has been stated many times, Phil created this environment by giving Carmelo the now infamous no-trade clause.
A devalued asset
What Phil Jackson says and how Carmelo Anthony feels matter to every NBA team interested in a trade. Phil spent almost an entire season outlining the weaknesses of Carmelo and hasn't stopped in the offseason. NBA team executives are listening and have already begun to doubt the value of a trade with the Knicks. Fred Kerber of the New York Post writes:
"Phil made a statement basically that Carmelo's a losing type of player. Well, if he's a loser for the Knicks, he's going to be a winner someplace else? 'That obviously didn't help,' one Eastern Conference executive said. 'Tremendously,' another exec said when asked how much Jackson may have damaged Anthony's trade value. 'He essentially said I want to dump this guy.'
Essentially, Phil is the worst salesman in the world. While Carmelo is imperfect, there are enough positive aspects to his game to inspire a moving sales pitch. He is an NCAA champion, Olympic gold medalist and one of the best scorers in NBA history. Defense may not be a strength but he doesn't hide on defense and actively attempts to defend his position.
Is he a fit for the Knicks? No. However, the lack of fit in New York doesn't necessarily apply to the Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers or Boston Celtics.
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Value is relative
In sales, an item is worth what someone will pay for it. A large house may be worth a million dollars on the outskirts of New York City but would be worth half that in the hills of Appalachia. The Knicks owned a valuable trade asset prior to the borderline slander of Carmelo Anthony at the hands of Phil Jackson. Maurice Moton correctly states the following in Bleacher Report:
"Jackson's criticisms have stripped Anthony of quality value on the trade block. The Knicks will have to settle for role players or late first-round picks in exchange for a complete scorer who can close basketball games with clutch shooting ability."
On one hand, Carmelo should be thankful for the powerful position he finds himself in. His no-trade clause was a gift that allows him to choose where he goes, if anywhere. On the other, Carmelo should be furious at the hand he has been dealt. The list of teams that would entertain a trade for him have shortened following the idiotic methods of Phil Jackson.
The New York Knicks possess multiple second round picks in the upcoming 2017 NBA Draft. These picks and Carmelo are essentially the only assets Phil Jackson can use to better the team. Hopefully, Phil doesn't say anything to diminish the value of his draft picks. Because of his treatment of Carmelo Anthony, his legacy and the value of his most coveted asset are plummeting daily.
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