Dirk Nowitzki reunited with one Knicks starting frontcourt player Wednesday night. He would love to be joined by another one.
According to a report, Carmelo Anthony plans on visiting Chicago, Houston and Dallas once free agency begins July 1. The Mavericks are the only club with legitimate cap space to acquire Anthony, but the club still seems a long shot.
The Rockets on Wednesday night reportedly began trying to clear cap space for Anthony or LeBron James by trading Omer Asik to the Pelicans for a 2015 first-round pick.
Nowitzki was heartened by the news Knicks center Tyson Chandler had been traded back to the Mavericks. Nowitzki said he definitely will speak to Anthony upon his visit.
“I was active the last couple of years recruiting, but it didn’t do anything,’’ Nowitzki said before playing in the Steve Nash Foundation Soccer Showdown on the Lower East Side. “I was active with [Deron Williams] but he stayed [in Brooklyn]. I flew to LA last year to meet with Dwight [Howard] but he went to Houston. I guess they don’t like me much.
“For sure, if Dallas is on his radar, we’ll talk. He’s one of the best scorers in this league. He can score with the best of them. If that’s where he wants to be, we’d love to have him.’’
Quietly, the German sharpshooting superstar also will become a free agent July 1, but it’s all but a done deal he will return to Dallas, just like in 2010.
“I don’t want to go anywhere,’’ Nowitzki said. “Hopefully it will be a short quick meeting, get it over with and get better as a franchise. I’ve been in Dallas so long it wouldn’t feel right [leaving].’’
Chandler won a title with Nowitzki in 2011.
“He helped me get the championship,’’ Nowitzki said. “We had great chemistry together. He’s an athlete standing next to me [on defense]. Since I’m the slowest guy in the league right now, probably helps him next to me. We bonded pretty good in 2010-11. The city loved him. Unfortunately we had to let him go.’’
As far as losing Calderson and Larkin, Nowitzki said, “Jose was great for us this year. One of the best shooters this league has. And I think Shane has upside, very athletic, very quick. Obviously he’s got a lot to learn. Foot surgery the first year didn’t help, missing summer league, but he’s got a huge upside.’’
Nowitzki also was asked if the Mavericks should go after LeBron James.
“If he’s out there with cap room, you got to try,” Nowitzki said. “He’s the best player in the league and he’s a free agent. Best player in the league is a free agent, you try. Not sure what our chances are, but you try.’’