NBA

Knicks brass will meet Carmelo in LA after Lakers visit

After Carmelo Anthony meets with the Lakers on Thursday in Los Angeles, he will have his final meeting with the Knicks in the evening, according to multiple sources.

Looking to wrap up before the July 4th holiday, the Melopalooza will end in a doubleheader as Knicks president Phil Jackson and coach Derek Fisher, each of whom has a home in Los Angeles, have flown to the West Coast with GM Steve Mills. Owner James Dolan again will not attend, after missing the last meeting with Anthony in Los Angeles three weeks ago.

Jackson said before the draft it’s best to have the first meeting and the last one, which Thursday night’s sitdown is presumed to be. Jackson has tried to urge Anthony to take less than the maximum contract he could offer — for five years and $129 million — so the Knicks can have more flexibility in 2015 free agency.

It’s the third time Jackson has met formally with Anthony since the season ended in mid-April. Anthony also met another time with Knicks officials without Jackson present.

The Knicks have remained confident throughout the process because of the complexities of the Bulls and Rockets’ salary cap situations.

Kobe Bryant had planned to fly in from Europe to join the Lakers contingent meeting with Anthony, but was later reported to be unable to make it in time. They are good friends, as are their wives. Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak and team executives Jim Buss and Jeanie Buss also will be present. Jeanie Buss is the fiancée of Jackson.

The Lakers, with near-maximum salary cap space, are trying to sell Anthony on playing in a trio with Bryant and free agent Pau Gasol. Their preference, though, is to land LeBron James and Anthony in a tandem.

At first, the Lakers were tepid about pairing Anthony with Bryant, with talk they would save their cap space. Anthony visited Chicago Tuesday, then hit Houston and Dallas on Wednesday.