With the best of the NBA's best in New York for All-Star weekend, there's never been a better opportunity for Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks to get an early start on next summer's recruiting drive. A number of key free agents will be available, and it sounds like Anthony is already putting the moves on two - Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge and Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies.
Both Aldridge and Gasol have been bombarded with questions about free agency in their limited media appearances so far, but Anthony is understandably planning to make his pitch away from the cameras. He did concede that if they're making their decision based on the recent weather, he won't have much luck...but fortunately for the Knicks, it'll likely come down to more than that.
Gasol sounded very enthusiastic about New York, telling reporters the city has "everything" and that he'll weigh all his options when the time is right. Aldridge was asked about the triangle offense, and responded by saying he thinks he'd be a great fit in the triangle because of his post presence. While neither player is going to come out and publicly flirt with the Knicks while still under contract, both sounded very open to the possibility of playing at Madison Square Garden during their media appearances. Depending on how Melo's recruiting pitches go, this weekend could be the most important two days of the Knicks' 2014-15 season.
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