Carmelo Anthony hinted that he will take advantage of the 2015 NBA All-Star weekend to sell the city of New York to upcoming free agents, similar to what he experienced twice in his career.
In the 2014 All-Star weekend, reports indicated that Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah made a recruiting pitch to Anthony about the possibility of moving to Windy City.
And with New York hosting the yearly spectacle where most of the players will be present, Anthony said that "it's his turn" to extend to his fellow superstars later this month.
"That was kind of the talk of All-Star Weekend last year," Anthony told reporters via New York Post. "I've had that experience maybe twice now, last year and then the one in LA a couple of years back right before I got to New York. Now it's my turn. Now it's my turn to extend the favor."
Anthony did not mention names of players that he is planning to talk to, but the Knicks have been long linked to Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol, who said earlier in the season that he will consider all options when he hits free agency in the offseason.
Previous reports indicated that Knicks president Phil Jackson is high on Gasol, believing that the younger brother of his former player in Los Angeles, Pau, is the perfect anchor to coach Derek Fisher's triangle offense.
However, Gasol, who is averaging 18.7 points to go along with 8.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game this season, is expected to be a hot commodity in the offseason. The Grizzlies are expected to do anything possible to keep the All-Star center, while the San Antonio Spurs are also interested in the Spaniard.
Aside from Gasol, the NY Post also mentioned Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge and Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap as possible targets for Anthony and the Knicks in the upcoming All-Star Game. Phoenix Suns pointed guard Goran Dragic and Detroit Pistons forward Greg Monroe are reportedly on the Knicks' radar as well.
Anthony, who signed a five-year deal worth $124 million in the offseason, believes the atmosphere at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 15 will impress players, including those who are set to hit the free-agent market in the summer.
"That is a big moment - that Sunday in the All-Star Game," Anthony said via ESPN. "So the Garden will be lit up, it will be bright. There will be a lot of people in there. It will be loud and it will be exciting. So for other players to see that, I am pretty sure that will be impressive."
