Carmelo Anthony thought long and hard about playing for the Bulls and then coach Tom Thibodeau back in 2014 before ultimately taking more money to stay with the Knicks. If Melo gets his way however, he might still have a chance to play for Thibs as it’s being reported that Melo really wants Thibs on the sidelines at MSG next year.
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Getting Thibs to New York won’t be an easy task. Phil Jackson is currently enamored with Kurt Rambis, despite it being clear he has no clue what to do with this team while he was the interim coach this season after Derek Fisher was fired.
Carmelo has a no trade clause so he does hold alot of power with how the Knicks can look next year because owner James Dolan would grant him whatever trade request he wants, if he ever wants one. Dolan would like to keep Melo in New York and keep him happy but the ego of Phil Jackson may be too much.
If Dolan wants to hire Thibs, or even someone like Mark Jackson or Jeff Van Gundy, it would mean he pretty much went against the desires of Phil and that could cause some issues. Melo has had plenty of time to endorse Rambis to return but that hasn’t happened and you don’t have to think hard to wonder why.
Melo wants his voice heard because he wants a shot at championship before his window closes and that window is already more than halfway shut. Next year will likely be the make or break season for him with the Knicks. If they hired Thibs (or another coach he is ok with) then things will be ok as the team tries to improve but if Rambis is back as coach, expect Melo to finally request that trade.
