Carmelo Anthony could be coming home once again. Reports indicate that Anthony's decision -- which has been one of the most highly anticipated facets of the NBA free agency period the last nine days -- could come as soon as Thursday and it looks like the seven-time All-Star with remain in New York with the Knicks.
According to The New York Daily News, a person close to Anthony has told the publication that unless Anthony has a change of heart, he will re-sign with the Knicks on Thursday after wrestling with the decision over the last couple of weeks.
"He will have something for everybody on Thursday," a friend of Anthony's who was with the free agent All-Star before his scheduled workout with Kevin Durant and Kevin Love in Los Angeles on Wednesday told the paper. "He is really torn because this is the biggest decision of his career. But he wants to get it done in New York. He told me he believes in [Knicks president] Phil [Jackson]."
Anthony can make the most money and have the lengthiest contract by staying with the Knicks instead of opting to join some of the other teams that have courted him this summer. The Knicks have offered him a max deal of $129 million over five years, more than the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets can offer him after Anthony visited with all of them last week.
The Lakers have offered Anthony a max deal over four years, while the Bulls would have to execute a sign-and-trade to land him.
Anthony had been adamant that he wanted to stay in New York this season, but after the Knicks finished 37-45 and missed the playoffs, it became uncertain whether he'd stay for more money or go elsewhere and take less money for a better chance to win a ring.
Anthony had reportedly been tempted to join Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles and the team looked to convince him that the franchise, which is rich in history, would be all his once Bryant retired. Anthony reportedly also had a lot of interest in the Bulls, who gave him a great shot at winning an NBA title with him on board.
The Daily News reports that Anthony prolonging his decision wasn't due to him having second thoughts about the Knicks but rather him wanting to be sure he can put himself in position to win a title.
It has been an interesting couple of weeks for Anthony and things could change, but it appears as though he will return to the Knicks and continue to be a star in New York.
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