Carmelo to sit last game of season with Knicks future uncertain
Carmelo Anthony's long-term future with the New York Knicks remains clouded in mystery, but as far as his immediate future is concerned, the All-Star forward has taken his last shot for the team ... this season.
Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek told reporters Tuesday that Anthony will miss Wednesday's finale against the visiting Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden, according to Newsday's Al Iannazzone.
Anthony has been out of action for New York's last two outings against both the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors (both losses) due to a sore left knee.
"I think every year until guys are gone, coaches, we all assume we have the same team. That’s how you prepare. When something changes you deal with it," said Hornacek about Melo's status for the 2017-18 campaign.
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Anthony is set to earn $26.2 million next season, with a player option worth $27.9 million the following year. Now, whether he's even around to exercise that option or not remains to be seen, as the 32-year-old could be gone long before then.
With a no-trade clause in his deal, Anthony would need to willingly waive that provision in order for team president Phil Jackson to send him packing, which was seemingly the plan ahead of February's trade deadline, although nothing came to fruition.
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Anthony ends the season having averaged 22.5 points on 43.3 percent shooting, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 73 total appearances.