Report: Carmelo expected to re-sign with Knicks for maximum deal
After setting up meetings across the country, it appears as though Carmelo Anthony will be returning to the Big Apple.
The free-agent forward is expected to accept a maximum five-year, $129 million contract with the New York Knicks, the New York Daily News reports. Anthony, who met with the Rockets, Bulls, Mavericks and Lakers earlier this week, could announce his decision within the next 48 hours, according to the report.
Yahoo! Sports/FOX Sports 1 NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Anthony left Thursday's meetings with the Knicks with an increased confidence in the franchise's direction. The Knicks can offer Anthony $30 million more than any other team.
The one holdup could be LeBron James' free-agent decision. James and Anthony have expressed a desire to play together and if James decides to go to the Lakers, Anthony might also be interested to join his friend and Kobe Bryant, according to the Daily News. James, who is seeking a maximum deal, could also accept a one-year contract from the Heat and then re-enter free agency next summer, when the Knicks will have more salary-cap flexibility.
Anthony, who was acquired from the Denver Nuggets in a 2011 trade, has spent the past three-plus seasons with the Knicks, helping them reach the playoffs three of the past four years. But New York took a major step back last season, going 37-45 and marking the first time in Anthony's 11-year career that he missed the playoffs.
