Carmelo Anthony announced that he’s going to test free agency after this season. Now, Knicks coach Mike Woodson has some words for him.
“If he’s going to test it, he’s got to test it. That’s on him,” Woodson said Thursday. “But at this point, he’s got to worry about this season and this season only, because that’s what’s staring him in the face.”
Anthony has mentioned to the media that he will opt out of his last season of his contract with the Knicks and try out free agency next summer.
“It’s definitely an opportunity that I’m willing to explore and experience,” Anthony said Thursday. “That not whatsoever means that I’m not coming back to New York or I don’t want to be here in New York. So I don’t want nobody to get that impression.”
While Woodson doesn’t like Melo talking about free agency at this time, he doesn’t expect the situation to present a distraction for Anthony.
“It shouldn’t weigh on him,” Woodson said. “Melo’s going to be fine. He’s put himself in a great position.
“We’re expecting big things from Melo. It’s been that way since I’ve been here, and it’s not going to change. He’s a major centerpiece of what we’ve done here the last few years. That’s important. [His performance] weighs heavily on this season.”
Anthony has two years left on his contract but can opt out of his last season, which is worth $23.3 million.
