Next season could conceivably be the last as a Knick for Carmelo Anthony — who has a player opt-out clause in his contract he can use after the 2013-14 season.
If he does opt out next summer, he sounded as if he intended to re-sign a long-term deal with the Knicks.“I’m going to be here for many years,’’ Anthony said.
That is, if the Knicks wish to, if the club takes a step back next season. Anthony will be 30 when he decides whether to opt-out.
When asked directly of his opt-out clause, Anthony said: “I can’t think about that right now. That would be selfish on my part to even sit back and think about the situation like that. When that time comes, I’ll deal with it. Right now it’s all about as a team moving forward.’
Anthony played through a strained left shoulder suffered late during the first-round series against the Celtics. Anthony revealed he played through pain in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Pacers.
“It was bothering me since it happened,’’ Anthony said. “There was pain. It came to the point you try not to think about it.’’
Anthony, who will be reexamined by team doctors this week to make sure no other damage exists and doesn’t think he needs surgery.
“We just checked it and everything’s stable,’’ Anthony said. “I think it’s a matter of just rest and letting it heal on your own.’’
* It seems hard to believe Jason Kidd will pass up $3.1 million next season and retire, but his buddy, Tyson Chandler, said he didn’t know whether the veteran guard will return. Kidd’s flameout in the playoffs could push him into retirement, despite having two years and $6.2 million left on his pact.
Kidd, 40, didn’t meet with reporters after Games 5 or 6, nor was he available after his exit meeting yesterday with coach Mike Woodson and general manager Glen Grunwald.
He ended the postseason on a 10-game scoreless streak and was benched in the second half of the final two contests.
“I don’t know,’’ said Chandler, Kidd’s teammate in Dallas. “I don’t know where his mind is now. I think he’ll do his thing as far as allowing his mind to think and settle in. Right now everything is so emotional, fresh off this series. It’s hard to get that out of your mind. I think he’ll take some time with his family.’’
Asked if Kidd had another season in him, Chandler said, “I think so, but it’s not up to me. It’s up to him. At this point of his career, it’s a balancing act on what’s important to him.’’
Raymond Felton said he wants to go to the Hamptons to visit Kidd, “work out with him and pick his brain.’’
“We’re human. Everyone goes through periods of slumps where they can’t shoot the ball,’’ Felton said. “It’s unfortunate he was missing shots at that time.’’
Chandler also had a bad series against the Pacers, getting outmuscled by center Roy Hibbert. He blamed the strep throat he had late in the regular season for not having the strength to compete under the boards. He lost 10 pounds during his sickness that coincided with resting his neck for the playoffs.
* Chandler took a veiled shot at the Knicks’ coaching staff yesterday.
Chandler has already criticized the whole team for “playing like individuals,’’ against Indiana.
Yesterday, Chandler said, “A lot of things we’re going to have to address. Everybody to a man is going to have to come back better, including the coaches.’’
Chandler also took a poke at the offensive strategy.
“I would like for us to develop some consistency with the offensive game plan,” he said. “Right now, we’re a jump-shooting team. I would like us to have a free-flowing offense that we all can be comfortable with.”
* Anthony apparently doesn’t believe Rihanna and wants J.R. Smith to re-sign as a free agent. Smith probably will be back in a convenient package deal with his brother, Chris Smith, who just changed reps to J.R.’s and Anthony’s agent, CAA superagent Leon Rose.
“J.R. is a special player,” Anthony said. “He made a huge step as a basketball player. We look forward to that to come out and be focused the way he was to win the Sixth Man Award, help us win a division title. He’s definitely a plus to this team. I definitely would love him back here.’’
* Anthony acknowledged Amar’e Stoudemire wasn’t 100 percent upon his return against the Pacers.
“At this point, coming from a friend more than a teammate, I would love to see him back 100 percent,” Anthony said. “I don’t know how hard it is to get back 100 percent and be injury-free.’’