Knicks Target Could Sign With Miami Heat: Report

Carmelo Anthony is among the free agents still looking for a team ahead of the 2019-20 season but has found interest limited even with teams looking to add players on veteran minimum contracts. The New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers were initially touted as potential destinations but Brian Scarbine is now suggesting a potential move to Miami Heat after confirming some “traction” between the player and the franchise.

The 35-year-old veteran forward was signed by the Houston Rockets last season but his last appearance in the NBA was back in November 2018 after which he was removed from the squad by head coach Mike D’Antoni and eventually traded to the Chicago Bulls. But the Bulls waived him almost immediately making him a free agent.

The Lakers and Knicks were initially touted as potential destinations but both the franchise looked elsewhere to fill their rosters. The former still have one spot remaining on their roster but are yet to make a decision with reports claiming that they are waiting on Andre Iguodala, who could become a free agent if he is waived by Memphis Grizzlies.

Scarbine said Tuesday on SiriusXM NBA Radio's "The Starting Lineup" that there has been some traction between Anthony and the Heat, who do have four roster spots remaining to fill. They had been linked with veteran point guard Chris Paul, who is also available via a trade from Oklahoma City Thunder.

“Miami has four roster spots. And, they've got a lot of guys on low guarantees. Right there, there's a need. If they want to do the development thing with young guys, I get it. But, that's really not Miami's forte,” Scarbine said, as quoted on Sporting News. “They like taking an older guy, like a Carmelo Anthony and saying 'With our good culture, we're going to turn him into what we feel like.' I think Miami's interesting … and because they're lying in the weeds and you haven't talk about it, I actually think there's some traction there."

Anthony is desperate to play one more season in the NBA and have a similar farewell campaign like Dwayne Wade had with the Miami Heat last season. He has been training regularly and recently his trainer claimed that the forward was 100 percent ready and was better than 60 percent of the player currently playing in the NBA.

"I feel like I still can play," Anthony said during a recent appearance on ESPN. "I know I still can play. My peers know I still can play."