Forward Carmelo Anthony is unlikely to play out the final two years on his contract with the New York Knicks.
Instead, he plans to exercise the opt-out clause in his deal and dive into free agency next summer.
“I want to be a free agent,” Anthony said in an interview with the New York Observer. “I think everybody in the NBA dreams to be a free agent at least one time in their career. It’s like you have an evaluation period, you know. It’s like if I’m 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.”
The 29-year-old New York native added that opting out of his deal would not rule out a return to the Knicks.
“I came to New York for a reason,” he said. “I’ve 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 haven’t heard it from me, then it ain’t true.”
Anthony would make $23.3 million in 2014-15 if he plays out his contract. According to ESPN.com, as a free agent, he would be able to sign a five-year, $129.1 million deal with the Knicks, or a four-year, $95.9 million contract with another team.
Through 10 NBA seasons, the first 7 1/2 with the Denver Nuggets, Anthony is averaging 25 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. Last season, he led the NBA with a 28.7 scoring average while contributing 6.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.