Early in the NBA lockout process, Knicks stars Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony flirted with the idea of playing overseas before squashing it because of their respective rehabs and with hopes the lockout would not cancel the season.
But with yesterday’s announcement the union will disband and the players will file an antitrust lawsuit against the NBA that could kill the season, the overseas option will reopen for both players.
Stoudemire, who has said he has Jewish roots, had received an offer from Maccabi Tel Aviv in the summer.
Agent Happy Walters represents three Knicks, Stoudemire, rookie first-rounder Iman Shumpert and Shawne Williams, who would become a free agent. Walters said he would soon revisit the possibilities. Anthony had talked about playing in China during his visit, but Chinese teams have no opt-out clause.
That was a deal-breaker for Anthony, but perhaps no more. Anthony attended yesterday’s player rep meeting but said he could not comment. Anthony, Chauncey Billups, who has no interest in Europe, player rep Toney Douglas and union VP Roger Mason were part of the 51-player group yesterday.
Douglas had major shoulder surgery after season’s end and when asked about his health, he said, “Still in the process.’’