Scott Perry: Knicks Expecting Carmelo Anthony At Training Camp, But Keeping ‘Open Mind’ About Veteran

New York Knicks general manager Scott Perry said the team expects Carmelo Anthony to show up for training camp next week, although he added that the team is maintaining an “open mind” about the veteran forward’s status with the team.

Carmelo Anthony Trade News

“Look, Carmelo’s going to be back here,” Perry said Friday at the team’s training facility. “Carmelo has always been a professional. That’s one thing I’ve always respected about him. I think he can set a good example for the young players. He’s been a 10-time All-Star. If he’s back here with the New York Knicks, we expect him to be the professional he’s always exemplified throughout his career and move forward with him.”

The 33-year-old Anthony — who has been with the Knicks since 2011 — has been the subject of trade rumors for several months. Anthony himself has long stated that he wishes to play for the Houston Rockets, although there is a no-trade clause in his contract.

Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek said Anthony’s position with the team would remain the same as long as he’s on the roster and that it would be “crazy” to believe the All-Star wouldn’t start.

“We’ve just been in constant contact with he and his representatives and I won’t get into (the) weeds of the details of how far or how close we were to any type of deal,” Perry said. “At the end of the day, what we set out and what we said (in July was), if there was something there that made sense both for him and the Knicks’ organization, then we would strongly consider it. Obviously, we sit here today and that did not happen as of yet.”

According to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets and the Knicks haven’t talked about Anthony for weeks.

On Sept. 11, Anthony’s new trainer and former Knicks developmental coach Chris Brickley posted a video of Anthony scrimmaging with his Rockets friends, Chris Paul and James Harden.

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 17: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball against the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center on November 17, 2016 in Washington, DC.