James Dolan Fires Phil Jackson, Carmelo Anthony More Likely To Stay With New York Knicks

Phil Jackson’s stint as the New York Knicks president appears to be over. According to multiple reports, team owner James Dolan and Jackson have agreed to part ways, ending a three-year relationship that resulted in one of the worst stretches in franchise history.

The team’s decision not to buy out Carmelo Anthony, whom Jackson has publicly stated he wants to trade, reportedly forced Dolan to address the future of the president. The news also comes less than a week after Jackson actively attempted to deal Kristaps Porzingis, the team’s best young player. Jackson will be fired despite having two years and $24 million left on his contract.

READ: Are The Knicks Closer To Trading Carmelo Anthony?

The Knicks entered a rebuilding mode under Jackson when they failed to reach the playoffs for a fourth straight year. New York made several moves to make the playoffs last season, trading assets to acquire Derrick Rose and signing Joakim Noah to what now looks like one of the worst contracts in the NBA.

Following a disappointing season, Jackson has stated publicly on multiple occasions that he thinks it’s best for the Knicks to move Anthony. The All-Star has a no-trade clause and has expressed a desire to stay in New York, where he’s played since 2011.

Anthony indicated that he might be open to a buyout, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein, but the Knicks are reportedly not interested in losing their star player without getting anything in return. Anthony has two years left on his deal worth a little more than $54 million, and the chances of him returning to the Big Apple for the 2017-2018 season likely increase with the departure of Jackson, who was determined to get rid of him.

If the Knicks aren’t going to simply give Anthony away for nothing, it’s hard to see him playing elsewhere next season. Perhaps he would approve a trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who would be the overwhelming favorites to sign him in the case of a buyout. However, it’s hard to see a deal getting done if the Knicks don’t want to accept a straight up swap for Kevin Love, which would not exactly coincide with New York’s rebuilding process.

Anthony’s recent marital troubles might also be a driving force that is keeping him in New York. La La Anthony, Carmelo’s estranged wife, said on “The Wendy Williams Show” Tuesday that the forward’s priority is staying close to the couple’s 10-year-old son, Kiyan.

“The most important thing with that is just to stay close to Kiyan,” La La Anthony told Williams when asked about the possibility of Carmelo being traded. "That's my priority, that's his priority. So wherever he ends up, of course, we want him to be happy.”

READ: La La Anthony Opens Up About Split From Carmelo Anthony

La La said she plans to remain in New York. If Anthony is traded to a team like the Los Angeles Clippers, with whom the Knicks have reportedly discussed a deal, he would be 3,000 miles away from his son. According to ESPN’s Ian Begley, Anthony was leaning towards agreeing to leave the Knicks at the end of the season, but his marital troubles have forced him to want to rethink a move out of New York.

General manager Steve Mills will lead the Knicks as they attempt to make trades and sign free agents this summer.