Carmelo Anthony to sign max deal with Knicks

Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

After flirting with a handful of teams, Carmelo Anthony has decided to stay at home with the New York Knicks.

The seven-time All-Star has re-signed with the Knicks for the max (5yrs/$129 million).

Just a matter of hours until Carmelo Anthony informs the Knicks of his return on a five-year deal, as @FisolaNYDN reported this week.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 12, 2014

Prior to making his decision, Anthony met with the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, and Los Angeles on Thursday this past week. His decision came down to the Bulls and Knicks, after he eliminated the Lakers.

Sources: it's down to Knicks or Bulls for Carmelo Anthony, @stephenasmith reports; Lakers are out. More here: http://t.co/RxN9jSh4rG
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) July 11, 2014

Not many saw the Lakers as a serious contender for Anthony’s services, but reports suggested the meeting caught Anthony’s attention.

Hearing the Lakers made a MAJOR impact on Melo this week - it's now a legit 3-way battle between LA/Chi/NYK to land him. Crazy NBA weekend.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) July 5, 2014

Lakers have moved into serious contention on Carmelo Anthony, multiple sources tell Yahoo. "In the game now," one source close to Melo says.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 5, 2014

After the meeting with the Lakers, he sat down and spoke with new Knicks’ President Phil Jackson. According to reports, Anthony left the meeting feeling “comfortable” about the team’s direction.

Yahoo Sources: After meeting, Carmelo Anthony left comfortable with Phil Jackson's vision for shaping a contender. http://t.co/04mVtCSJO3
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 4, 2014

Since Jackson has taken over, the Knicks acquired Jose Calderon, Samuel Dalembert, Wayne Ellington, Shane Larkin, and rookies Cleanthony Early and Thanasis Antetokounmpo from the Mavericks for Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton and have signed Lamar Odom (was just waived yesterday).

They’ve also named Derek Fisher as their new head coach. The team has also been rumored to have interest in Pau Gasol, whom should be signing a deal with the Bulls anytime now..

Reports have surfaced of Anthony also trying to recruit the Spaniard to come play with him in New York. Anthony, 30, had a stellar season despite the Knicks’ poor season.

He averaged 27.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and shot 45.2% from the field. Anthony began his Knicks tenure during the 2010-2011 season when he was traded from the Denver Nuggets in a three team trade involving the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Knicks would receive Chauncey Billups, Renaldo Balkman, Anthony Carter, Corey Brewer and Shelden Willams along with Anthony. They sent Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Timofey Mozgov, and draft picks to the Nuggets and Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry to the Wolves.

With the trade, Anthony inked a three-year, $65 million dollar extension prior to having the newCBA kicking in. Anthony, the third overall pick during the 2003 draft, holds career averages of 25.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists.

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