"Carmelo [Anthony] was really considering going to the Bulls when [Tom] Thibodeau was coaching them in his free agency summer with the Knicks. It was Knicks, Bulls, Knicks, Bulls. And, I was told at least, he kept changing his mind. So I think because of that, he likes the idea of playing for Thibodeau. And I would think if his buddy Chris Paul gets traded to the Knicks, and that’s not a foregone conclusion or anything, but that certainly increases the odds that Carmelo Anthony ends up here back in New York."

 

via Ian Begley of SNY

 

ANALYSIS: There have been rumblings that Carmelo Anthony may be interested in finishing his career with the Knicks (even though they didn't part ways on the best of terms). Anthony's friendship with Chris Paul is well-documented, so it make sense that acquiring Paul would increase the odds of landing Anthony. Anthony and Paul were teammates on the Houston Rockets in 2018-19, but that stint together only lasted 10 games because Carmelo was ultimately waived.

 

It remains to be seen whether New York is seriously interested in trading for Paul and his large contract, which will pay him will pay him $41,358,814 in 2020-21 and includes a $44,211,146 player option for 2021-22.