WASHINGTON — Knicks owner James Dolan wants Jeremy Lin to return to the team next season. Carmelo Anthony says so.
“With Jeremy, I know he definitely would want to be back in New York, and with the team, Dolan definitely wants him back,” Anthony said last night after Team USA’s 80-69 exhibition victory over Brazil. “But it’s just a matter of figuring it out.”
There’s no indication Anthony has spoken to Dolan, but he also reiterated his own desire to have the point guard return after Lin averaged 14.6 points and 6.2 assists in 35 games, including 25 starts, and became an international star in the process.
“I hope we get it done, man,” Anthony said. “I hope we can get it done. I would love to see him back, honestly, I would definitely love to see him back. But knowing the business of basketball, it’s kind of a tough situation for both parties.
At the same time, Anthony didn’t back down from his comment before Sunday’s practice that Lin’s three-year, $25 million offer from the Rockets was a “ridiculous contract.” After drawing some criticism for the comment, Anthony brushed it aside and said he his thoughts haven’t changed on the subject.
“I always get backlash,” Anthony said. “It’s nothing new. It is what it is.
“It was ridiculous for [the Rockets] to do what they did, as far as throwing that out there and making it tough on us to sign him back.”
tbontemps@nypost.com