Are The Knicks Retiring Carmelo Anthony’s Jersey? Insider Provides Latest Update On Decision

Carmelo Anthony’s story has always felt like a steady flame that burned through nearly two decades of basketball. He wasn’t the loudest star, but his skills were enough to make a case for him. That brilliance was officially recognized with his Hall of Fame induction in September 2025, yet fans continue to believe his legacy deserves even more. After all, how can one of the purest scorers of his generation not be celebrated more by the team where he became a New York icon? The Knicks now face the decision of whether his jersey will finally rise to the rafters.

Anthony’s résumé speaks for itself. He scored 28,289 career points, ranking ninth on the all-time list. He earned ten All-Star selections, six All-NBA honors, and three Olympic gold medals while helping Team USA dominate on the world stage. In 2013, he even led the NBA in scoring at nearly 29 points per game. From Denver to New York and beyond, Melo carried the weight of expectations and still delivered unforgettable moments. A retired Knicks jersey seems like the missing chapter in his already decorated career.

That very question recently came up during a Knicks Mailbag with SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley. A fan asked whether Melo’s number would ever be retired, and Begley’s answer showed both hope and hesitation. He explained that he couldn’t say with “100 percent certainty” that the Knicks would hang his jersey in the rafters, but revealed that when Anthony first retired, there had been strong support inside Madison Square Garden for the idea. His words suggested momentum, but also left the final outcome unclear.

Begley also shared that talks inside the franchise have not gone away. “In checking around about this over the past couple of weeks, I can say that there remains strong support internally for retiring the number,” he said. “Again, I can’t say with 100 percent certainty that the Knicks will retire his number. But the internal discussions about the topic have continued in recent weeks. The decision to retire — or not retire — Anthony’s number will ultimately be made by owner James Dolan.” His comments made one thing clear: the decision is now sitting at the very top.

If Dolan chooses to honor him, the memory of Melo’s best years in New York will return vividly. Traded to the Knicks in 2011, he gave fans seven seasons filled with determination and heart. Averaging nearly 25 points per game with the team, he carried New York through both highs and struggles. His unforgettable 62-point performance at Madison Square Garden remains etched into history as one of the building’s great nights. Melo himself once described the arena perfectly when he said, “The Garden. They call it The Mecca for a reason.” For Knicks fans, that reason may soon hang high above the court in the form of his retired jersey.

Carmelo Anthony’s push for recognition and the pain of his Knicks exit

Carmelo Anthony has not shied away from sharing his feelings about seeing his No. 7 in the rafters. After being named to the 2025 Hall of Fame class, he admitted, “Why not? … I would love to see that. For me, it’s like, ‘Why wait?’ If you got to think about it, then cool — just let it be.” The remark, made in April, revealed both his gratitude and his longing for that symbolic recognition from New York.

That desire is shaped by the way his Knicks chapter ended in 2017. Once the face of the franchise, Anthony’s relationship with Phil Jackson unraveled after a disappointing season. As he later revealed, “Bro, I don’t understand this s—. To this day, I really don’t understand it. There’s no explanation. Listen, I’m gonna try to give you this in a quick summary. When I left New York, I didn’t leave New York. I got pushed out of New York, Phil [Jackson] pushed me out of New York. I struggled to leave New York.“ His words carried the sting of unfinished business.

In 2017, days after the 2016-17 NBA season had concluded, Phil Jackson publicly stated that Anthony would be better off elsewhere. Jackson initially signed Anthony to a five-year contract that included a no-trade clause, making the eventual trade to the OKC Thunder especially stunning for the player.

Anthony also reflected on the emotional toll: “It took me back to [being] a kid. It took me back to s— always being taken away from you. I did work this hard to get to this point, and it’s just that easy; you can just take it away from me with no explanation.” The pain was real, yet his legacy remains unshaken. With more than 10,000 points for the franchise and a single-game record of 62, Melo’s mark on the Garden is undeniable. His Hall of Fame nod and his candid hope for recognition only make the question louder: Will the Knicks finally give him the honor he craves?