Carmelo Anthony spent the first eight years of his NBA career with the Denver Nuggets before requesting and being granted a trade to the New York Knicks in 2011. But it turns out there was more to this blockbuster deal besides Melo wanting to play for his hometown club.
While appearing on podcast All That Smoke, hosted by former NBA players Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, Anthony shared some previously unknown details about his move to the Knicks.
According to the 10-time All-Star, he never wanted to leave the Denver Nuggets, which drafted him third overall in the 2003 NBA Draft.
“Contrary to what anybody and every believes, I never wanted to leave Denver,” said Anthony.” I never told people that. But I never wanted to leave Denver. But it’s like they put my back against the wall.”
Anthony told Barnes and Jackson that he felt like Denver Nuggets were not committed to building on the success that came when the team reached the 2009 Western Conference Finals. He became especially disillusioned with the franchise when the front office decided to move on from Dahntay Jones, Chauncey Billups, and JR Smith, whom he all considered important pieces on the team. That ended up prompting him to ask for a trade.
“We’re supposed to be building, not rebuilding,” he added. “And I went to them. I’m like, ‘I don’t want to go, but if y’all going to rebuild, it’s time for me to go somewhere else.'”
After Anthony left the franchise, the Nuggets had to wait 10 years before returning to the West Finals. Melo, on the other hand, only managed to get to Conference Semifinals during his time with the Knicks.
You can check out Anthony’s full appearance on All That Smoke below.
