Melo: I want to test free agency Ian Begley [ARCHIVE] Special to ESPNNewYork | October 17, 2013 NEW YORK -- New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony said in a recent interview that he wants to opt out of the final year of his contract this summer and test free agency. I want to be a free agent, Anthony told the New York Observer. I think everybody in the NBA dreams to be a free agent at least one time in their career. Its like you have an evaluation period, you know. Its like if Im in the gym and I have all the coaches, all the owners, all the GMs come into the gym and just evaluate everything I do. So yes, I want that experience. Anthony said Thursday that he will test free agency. However, he said not to make any assumptions about him leaving the Knicks. Does that mean Im not coming back to New York? Anthony said. Not at all. Anthony did repeat that hed like to be pursued. Guys would like to have that situation and just see what its about, he said. It doesnt mean that just because somebody wants to be that, that theyre going to leave. Me leaving never came across in my mind. [Free agency is] just an experience that I thought would be an experience Id want to experience. Count coach Mike Woodson among those who think Anthony will be back with the Knicks. I dont see him leaving. Thats just my thought, Woodson said. Anthony has two years remaining on his contract but can opt out of the final season, worth $23.3 million. If he decides to opt out, Anthony can make more money if he re-signs with the Knicks instead of another suitor. With the Knicks, he could ink a a five-year contract worth $129,135,806. If he signs with another team, the maximum he can earn is $95,897,372 over four years, according to calculations by ESPN salary-cap expert Larry Coon. Those numbers are based on the assumption Anthony, one of the top scorers in the NBA, will sign a max contract. Anthony hasnt said anything publicly about his plans beyond this summer. But in the Observer story he noted that hes grown comfortable with the high expectations that come with playing in New York. I came to New York for a reason, he said. Ive been with you all my life, almost to a fault. I wanted to come here and take on the pressures of playing in New York. So one thing I would tell my fans: If you havent heard it from me, then it aint true. Knicks president and general manager Steve Mills said late last month that New York has every intention of keeping Anthony beyond this season. The Knicks can begin negotiations with Anthony on an extension in February. But if Anthony decides to opt out, New York will likely have plenty of competition for his services.
Posted on: Sun, 15 Jun 2014 01:51:56 +0000
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