Anthony recently admitted he wants to test free agency.
New York Knicks head coach Mike Woodson has told Carmelo Anthony to focus on the new season and stop talking about free agency.
Anthony indicated a desire to test free agency next summer when discussing the topic on Thursday, and he has the chance to opt out of the final season of his contract and command a higher salary whether that’s with the Knicks or elsewhere.
While he told the media that he wouldn’t be discussing his future earlier this summer, he appears to have changed tact and has publicly entertained questions on what he will decide.
However, Woodson has now told him to focus on the season ahead as opposed to matters off the court.
While he admits that it is perhaps inevitable his franchise player will test free agency at the end of the year, he is eager for his team to concentrate on more immediate concerns.
“If he’s going to test it, he’s got to test it. That’s on him,” Woodson said according to ESPN. “But at this point, he’s got to worry about this season and this season only, because that’s what’s staring him in the face.”
There has been speculation that the Los Angeles Lakers will look to target both Anthony and LeBron James in 2014, given that they have the requisite salary cap space to acquire them both.
However, it remains to be seen what the pair decide to do next summer, although Woodson has been clear that Anthony remains a key part of his team for this year and wants 100 per cent effort from him in order to help the Knicks to a championship.
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