Jackson says that a trade might be best for Carmelo, Knicks

While Jackson said Anthony is "better off somewhere else", he does not believe Porzingis is ready to step up as the team's leader.

Right now we need players who are really active can play every single play both offensively and defensively. "It's really important for us". We're starting to get some players on the court who can do that. "So we'll go forward with that".

Showing no hesitation in answering the question of the hour, Jackson outright stated that Anthony would be better off playing for another organization.

Carmelo Anthony wants to play for a victor.

Anthony, who is entering the fourth season of a five-year, $124 million contract, met with Jackson on Thursday to discuss his future in traditional player exit meetings.

"The buck stops here", was the only comment from Jackson that sounded executive, but it wasn't long before he was analyzing everyone's shortcomings except his own. He has said in the past that if the Knicks presented him with a trade proposal, he would listen.

Since he became the team's president of basketball operations, the franchise has averaged just 26 wins per season. "You don't want to end up your career not winning", Jackson said.

"This is not something that you want to have labelled on your career". He's shown that he's got a sense of desire to win, et cetera. That's - we talked around that.

He'd cryptically criticized Anthony in a February tweet and on TV, and there was the Seasoned Basketball Scribe version of "Ether" penned by longtime Jackson pal Charley Rosen, but now Jackson's opinion is on the record.

Carmelo Anthony has a feeling that the New York Knicks will trade him this offseason. Some teams called that weren't amenable to Melo and his group; some teams called that were, but weren't willing to give up core groups of members of their team, which is understandable at that time of the year. He's due to make $26.2 million next season and $27.9 million for the 2018-19 campaign.

The 32-year-old knows what he wants and that is to win a championship. "That's a big hole to fill".

Tension between Anthony and Jackson has been high this season. "There are very few options at that level, but there are options".

Welp, you've heard Phil Jackson's Carmelo Anthony diss track by now, I'm sure.

Westbrook said the fact that Oklahoma City is matching up Harden does add a little something to the matchup.

"Carmelo's been great", Jackson said.

But Portland coach Terry Stotts said Friday that his status for the first-round opener in Oakland on Sunday was "undetermined".

"I think there's disconnect sometimes with this team and I think there was some rebelliousness with this team that created some of the discord during the year". I can't regret it. "Obviously it hasn't worked out, this partnership together".