Reports: Carmelo Anthony Fuming Over Knicks' Draft Moves
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Everyone has an opinion on the New York Knicks selecting Kristaps Porzingis in Thursday night's NBA Draft.
That includes Carmelo Anthony, the one person besides Knicks president Phil Jackson whose thoughts truly matter -- and reports say he's beyond disgusted.
"I (was) talking to my sources last night," ESPN's Stephen A. Smith said Friday on SiriusXM Mad Dog Sports Radio. "All they said was, he's furious. He's livid. He feels completely hoodwinked and betrayed by Phil Jackson."
Anthony re-signed with the Knicks last summer, passing over less-lucrative opportunities in Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles after a courtship by Jackson, who was entering his first offseason at the helm of the franchise.
Many analysts love the upside of the 19-year-old Porzingis, but the fourth overall pick from Latvia could take years to develop. Melo, without a title and perhaps past his prime at 31 years old, is apparently less than thrilled with that timetable.
"He feels like he was lied to, like he was sold a bill of goods," Smith said of the eight-time All-Star. "And he's willing to concede that he wanted his money. But he didn't know it was going to be like this. He didn't know it was going to be this bad. And he can't believe that his second season under the Phil Jackson regime, he has to look forward to it being worse than even last year was."
Anthony underwent season-ending knee surgery in February as the Knicks set a franchise record in futility at 17-65.
In another twist, Frank Isola of the New York Daily News reported via Twitter that Anthony called Tim Hardaway Jr. "to express his displeasure." Hardaway, who was reportedly at odds with Melo early last season, was traded for Atlanta's first-round pick, Notre Dame guard Jerian Grant.
Jackson was asked about Anthony during a Friday morning press conference.
"Carmelo's always on my mind," Jackson said. "He's our favorite son."
