Knicks team leader Carmelo Anthony had publicly made a pitch for current Sacramento Kings starting point guard Rajon Rondo to join him in New York next season.

The New York Post's Marc Berman noted that the 31-year-old Anthony "didn't sound like a player ready to ask for a trade, but one eager to recruit free agents this summer and convince point guard Rajon Rondo that this (Knicks') system will work for him".

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Reports were recently out that Rondo himself said that Phil Jackson's triangle system is "not for him". He was backed up by former Detroit Pistons point guard Chauncey Billups, who said that the Knicks will find it difficult to recruit an elite floor general as the triangle is said to be too "restrictive".

Anthony's response to both men's comments is quite interesting, though.

"I think Rondo - just me personally, I don't want to be tampering - but I've heard he said he wouldn't thrive in a system like this," said Rondo's fellow Oak Hill Academy high school alumnus, as per the New York Daily News. "I think he'd be perfect in a system like this."

Anthony stressed that the triangle is the ideal system for ball-dominant point guards who make plays through penetration, referring to Rondo in particular.

"It is a misconception about that. Some of the keys of our offense is penetration, getting in the paint. Pushing the pace, transition. Creating in the paint for bigs, for yourself, everybody else. I think a point guard would love that. Especially a point guard who can penetrate, create for yourself, create for others. I think it's a perfect opportunity for him," Anthony added.

Rondo has revitalized his career with the Kings this season after a tumultuous stint with the Dallas Mavericks in 2014-2015. The 30-year-old one-time NBA champion is averaging 11.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 12.0 assists (which currently leads the league), and 2.0 steals per game, quite impressive numbers in any way anyone wants to see it.

Rondo is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer as he is only under a one-year, $9.5 million contract in Sacramento.

TagsNBA News & Rumors, carmelo anthony, new york knicks, Rajon Rondo, sacramento kings