‘Melo expected to opt out, but doesn’t necessarily mean he will move on.
New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony has admitted in a recent interview that he wants to test free agency next summer.
The 29-year-old has two years remaining on his current contract, but has the option of opting out of the final season which he can then exploit to make more money if he re-signs with the Knicks or finds another franchise.
Based on the assumption that Anthony will sign a max contract thereafter, ESPN salary-cap expert Larry Coon believes that he can pen a new five-year deal with the Knicks worth $129,135,806, while another team could only offer a maximum of $95,897,372.
While the Knicks star didn’t reveal any of his plans beyond the summer, he has admitted to the fact that he would like to experience free agency at some point in his career.
“I want to be a free agent,” Anthony told the New York Observer.
“I think everybody in the NBA dreams to be a free agent at least one time in their career. It’s like you have an evaluation period, you know. It’s like if I’m in the gym and I have all the coaches, all the owners, all the GMs come into the gym and just evaluate everything I do. So yes, I want that experience.”
While general manager Steve Mills has insisted that the Knicks have “every intention” of keeping Anthony beyond this season, there has been speculation linking the Los Angeles Lakers with a move along with fellow free agent LeBron James as they will have the requisite cap space to acquire them.
However, it remains to be seen what both players decide next summer, but for now they have been keen to stress that they are fully focused on the season ahead and helping their current team-mates to success.
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