LeBron James is advising friend Carmelo Anthony to do "whatever makes him happy" as he anticipates free agency this summer.
The New York Knicks star forward can become a free agent after the season and as one of the league's top scorers is expected to draw interest from a growing list of suitors.
After being rumored as being open to joining Kobe Bryant in L.A. with the Lakers, more recently Anthony has also been discussed as a target of the Chicago Bulls, who seem to be warming to the idea of pairing him with a hopefully healthy Derrick Rose.
"You got to do whatever makes you happy at the end of the day," James told ESPN. "If you're happy, the game of basketball is going to be fun for you. Strive to be great every day, and you can live with whatever else happens."
The Knicks have the option of offering Anthony up to $30 million more than any other team over the life of a five-year deal. But, apparently, money won't be the only consideration for Anthony, who has regularly insisted the most critical thing for him is having a legitimate chance to compete for a title.
"I recommend it to me. It fit me," James told ESPN of the prospect of Anthony taking less money to play for a stronger contender. "What I do don't work for everybody. The way I live my life don't work for everybody. But all I cared about is winning. I came to Miami to win. Money didn't make me happy. Winning made me happy, and it still does. At the end of the day, that's what matters to me."
James later told ESPN "I know he wants to win. I know he can win," James said. "...This is what we're here for. Here to win. You dream about winning a championship. He's trying to figure out the way to do it."
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