Melo: I was honest but still got 'stabbed in the back' by Knicks
Carmelo Anthony trusted Phil Jackson until he couldn't anymore.
Ahead of his faceoff with his former team, he reflected on how his optimism about playing for his hometown club crumbled over the years. His disenchantment with the New York Knicks peaked last season due to the public feud between him and Jackson, who was then the team president.
"I was always, 'I'm going to put my trust in Phil, I'm going to put my trust in Phil,'" Anthony said, according to ESPN. "That diminished after a while."
Jackson tried to trade Anthony before last year's trade deadline, but it proved to be a challenge given his $54-million contract and no-trade clause.
Anthony maintains he was honest throughout the process, saying time and again he wants to stay and win in New York, but didn't feel the goodwill was reciprocated.
"I was very honest with that," he said. "I just didn't feel like they were honest with me."
The 33-year-old forward remained professional throughout the many months he was embroiled in trade rumors.
"I'm out here doing everything I can and I'm still getting stabbed in the back," he recalled. "I'm not trusting in that anymore. I'm trusting in these (teammates) that are out here. Whoever's out here, this is who I'm dealing with."
The Knicks fired Jackson in June and were believed to be close to trading Anthony to the Rockets. That fell through, though, and Melo thinks another transaction was to blame.
"I think the Kyrie (Irving trade) really put a dent in my situation because, before that, there was a couple deals that were supposed to be made," said Anthony, who believed the trade to Houston was a done deal. He suggested Knicks brass saw the return the Cleveland Cavaliers got for Irving after he requested a trade, and in turn tried to get more for Anthony.
Related: Melo says Phil would've traded him 'for a bag of chips'
Last month, New York dealt the 14-year veteran to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott, and a draft pick. The Knicks won't have to wait long to see their former star, as they open the season Thursday in OKC.
Anthony hopes the game will help him "close that chapter."