Melo’s future still uncertain as he is expected to test free agency.
New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony has revealed that he had a “great” meeting with president Phil Jackson, general manager Steve Mills and head coach Derek Fisher.
Anthony met with the trio in Los Angeles last Friday to discuss his pending free agency after he insisted throughout the season that he will opt out of his contract and test the market this summer with a number of teams reportedly interested.
While Jackson has publicly admitted that he would hope Anthony stays with the Knicks this year and then considers his options next summer, it doesn’t appear to have changed the 30-year-old’s mind as he looks to compete for a championship immediately if the opportunity is right.
“It was great meeting with Phil, it went well,” Anthony told two reporters at an event on Wednesday in Manhattan to promote his partnership with 50 Cent and SMS Audio headphones.
According to sources, Anthony has until June 23 to inform the Knicks of his decision, and with the free agency market opening for business on July 1, it is understood that the Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks are all monitoring his situation closely.
Meanwhile, Miami Heat officials have also started to explore the possibility of creating enough financial flexibility in order to land Anthony and add him to their ‘Big Three’ if they are willing to negotiate their deals this summer, with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all capable of opting out of their deals too.
Anthony can sign a maximum contract for $129m over five years with the Knicks, or he can sign a maximum contract of $96m over four years with another team, but ultimately he has insisted throughout the process that his focus is now on finding a winning formula to end his wait for a championship.
COMMENTS