Phil Jackson: Knicks' Carmelo Anthony 'would be better off somewhere else'

It appears that Carmelo Anthony's time with the New York Knicks may be coming to an end. 

Team president Phil Jackson met with the media Friday and had this to say about the nine-time All-Star.

"I think the direction with our team is that he would be better off somewhere else," Jackson said. Earlier this year, Anthony told Jackson that he wanted to remain with the Knicks.

Jackson seemed to toy with the idea of trading his franchise cornerstone all season, and the public barbs he sent through the media at Anthony never sat well with the forward. 

"If somebody was talking bad about you indirectly at your job, what would you do?" Anthony said earlier this week. "You would feel a certain way. You would want that person to come straightforward with you. And I feel the same way. I'm a very honest person."

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It was reported Thursday that the Knicks had exercised their two-year option on Jackson. From a broader perspective, Jackson sounds as if he knows a rebuild is imminent. An Anthony trade would essentially turn the keys of the franchise, at least the on-court product, over to Kristaps Porzingis. But Jackson admitted that the 21-year-old isn't ready to be the face of the franchise. Before making Porzingis a focal point, Jackson needs to find a trade partner for Anthony. Jackson said he wanted a valuable player in return.'

"We'll take into account (Anthony's) consideration," Jackson said. "This is not a situation we're going to dump you. We have not been able to win." 

This week the Knicks concluded their fourth straight season without a postseason appearance.