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Carmelo Anthony intends to opt out
Despite efforts from New York Knicks president Phil Jackson to convince him to remain under contract, forward Carmelo Anthony hasn't changed his mind and plans to opt out of his contract and test free agency this summer, according to a league source familiar with the situation.
AP Photo/Matt YorkCarmelo Anthony plans to opt out of his contract and test free agency this summer, according to a league source.
Sources told ESPN.com earlier this week that Jackson is continuing to urge Anthony to exercise next season's $23.3 million player option and put off unrestricted free agency for one more year. Anthony, according to sources, has until June 23 to inform the Knicks if he plans to opt out of his contract.
Jackson first said late last month that he hoped Anthony would consider opting in to the final year of his contract. Anthony had said publicly during the season that he planned to test free agency.
"I told him it might be a good idea to hang in here and see what it's like for a year and go out the next year," Jackson said. "But that's his option, that's what he's earned, and that's what's part of his contractual agreement. He has the right to do that. But I just offered that as, 'Look, this gives you an opportunity to see how this is going to change, see how we're going to get going, your relationship to the team and the coach and the system or whatever, the system we impose."
Jackson said when he first broached the subject with Anthony during a dinner meeting in late April, the All-Star forward was receptive to the idea. ESPN.com reported that Jackson has delivered the pitch to Anthony on multiple occasions over the past month.
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According to reports, Jackson was set to talk to Anthony about opting in again during a meeting on Thursday with general manager Steve Mills and new coach Derek Fisher. A league source said late Thursday night, though, that Anthony remains committed to opting out at this point.
The New York Daily News reported earlier Thursday that Anthony intends to test free agency barring a "dramatic change of heart."
The Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks are all teams Anthony would consider starting July 1, sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein, provided Anthony remains steadfast in his decision to opt out between now and June 23. Miami Heat officials have also started to explore their options in trying to create enough financial flexibility to land Anthony in free agency, ESPN.com reported earlier this week.
Anthony would have to make a monetary sacrifice if he decides to leave New York. With the Knicks, Anthony can ink a maximum 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. Anthony likely would have to sign for significantly less to join the Heat.
Jackson hoped to convince Anthony to opt in to the final year of his contract and test free agency next season to give the Knicks a better idea of the free agency landscape in 2015. The Knicks are expected to have plenty of cap space in 2015 to try to reel in a big-name free agent to pair with Anthony.
Carmelo Anthony intends to opt out
- Ian Begley [ARCHIVE]
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- ESPNNewYork.com | June 13, 2014
Despite efforts from New York Knicks president Phil Jackson to convince him to remain under contract, forward Carmelo Anthony hasn't changed his mind and plans to opt out of his contract and test free agency this summer, according to a league source familiar with the situation.
AP Photo/Matt YorkCarmelo Anthony plans to opt out of his contract and test free agency this summer, according to a league source.
Sources told ESPN.com earlier this week that Jackson is continuing to urge Anthony to exercise next season's $23.3 million player option and put off unrestricted free agency for one more year. Anthony, according to sources, has until June 23 to inform the Knicks if he plans to opt out of his contract.
Jackson first said late last month that he hoped Anthony would consider opting in to the final year of his contract. Anthony had said publicly during the season that he planned to test free agency.
"I told him it might be a good idea to hang in here and see what it's like for a year and go out the next year," Jackson said. "But that's his option, that's what he's earned, and that's what's part of his contractual agreement. He has the right to do that. But I just offered that as, 'Look, this gives you an opportunity to see how this is going to change, see how we're going to get going, your relationship to the team and the coach and the system or whatever, the system we impose."
Jackson said when he first broached the subject with Anthony during a dinner meeting in late April, the All-Star forward was receptive to the idea. ESPN.com reported that Jackson has delivered the pitch to Anthony on multiple occasions over the past month.
Knicks' Top Summer Targets
The Knicks clearly need help. Our NBA experts came up with the master list of free agents they're chasing this summer.
Photo Gallery
According to reports, Jackson was set to talk to Anthony about opting in again during a meeting on Thursday with general manager Steve Mills and new coach Derek Fisher. A league source said late Thursday night, though, that Anthony remains committed to opting out at this point.
The New York Daily News reported earlier Thursday that Anthony intends to test free agency barring a "dramatic change of heart."
The Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks are all teams Anthony would consider starting July 1, sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein, provided Anthony remains steadfast in his decision to opt out between now and June 23. Miami Heat officials have also started to explore their options in trying to create enough financial flexibility to land Anthony in free agency, ESPN.com reported earlier this week.
Anthony would have to make a monetary sacrifice if he decides to leave New York. With the Knicks, Anthony can ink a maximum 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. Anthony likely would have to sign for significantly less to join the Heat.
Jackson hoped to convince Anthony to opt in to the final year of his contract and test free agency next season to give the Knicks a better idea of the free agency landscape in 2015. The Knicks are expected to have plenty of cap space in 2015 to try to reel in a big-name free agent to pair with Anthony.
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