Rumors continue to swirl that Carmelo Anthony will depart the up-and-down New York Knicks over the summer when he opts for free agency, but coach Mike Woodson said he believes in his heart that Anthony will re-sign with the Knicks and eventually retire in orange and blue.
"In my heart, I don't think [Anthony will sign with another team]. I think Melo will retire a New York Knick. That's just my personal belief," Woodson said Wednesday in an interview on the Stephen A. Smith and Ryan Ruocco show on ESPN New York 98.7 FM.
Anthony has two years remaining on his current deal with the Knicks but plans to opt out of the final year of the pact, worth $23 million once the 2013-14 season comes to a close. If Anthony decides to re-sign with the Knicks, he will make more money than he would if he signs elsewhere out of free agency. ESPN reports that with the Knicks, Anthony can ink a five-year $129,135,806, an average of $25.8 million per year.
If Anthony signs with another team, he can make $95,897,372 on a four-year pact, an average of nearly $24 million per year. Anthony has given mixed signals over the course of the season, saying he'd like to test free agency and spark interest from other teams on the open market for the first time in his career and then later saying that he wanted to retire with the Knicks.
ESPN reports that Anthony and those close to him have insisted that he didn't make a decision yet on his future and will wait until the end of the season and into the summer. It has been widely speculated that Anthony will make his decision based on how the Knicks finish out this season.
The Knicks have underperformed this season and sit at 15-23 while dealing with on and off-court distractions by embattled forward J.R. Smith. The team recently rattled off a five-game winning streak, which was snapped Tuesday night in a loss to the Charlotte Hornets. This season, Anthony is second in the NBA in scoring with 26 points per game and is averaging a career-high 8.8 rebounds.
Woodson said he isn't worried about Anthony leaving but is "concerned" that some of the team's issues on and off the court could influence his decision.
"Yeah, you're concerned. But again, Melo is wearing a Knick uniform and I think Melo loves playing in New York," Woodson the radio program, according to ESPN. "He's been one of the bright spots this year because he hasn't taken any games off. He's been solid through all of our ups and downs this year. To me, that's the sign of a true pro. Melo's trying to do all of the right things. We are now starting to get back healthy and we are playing a little bit better."
It remains to be seen what Anthony's future holds, but Woodson is confident he'll be a Knick for the rest of his career.
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