Knicks president Phil Jackson, new coach Derek Fisher and general manager Steve Mills were slated to have their final meeting with Carmelo Anthony Thursday night in Los Angeles in a last-gasp effort to convince him to opt into his contract and delay free agency for a year.
Anthony has said since training camp he intends to opt out of his contract to become a free agent for the first time, and he is expected to stick to his plan, especially with the Heat’s reported interest in him this summer.
Anthony and LeBron James have always dreamed of playing on the same side, and it may have happened if Anthony didn’t sign a five-year deal with the Nuggets in 2006, blowing his chance to become a free agent in 2010 with James.
James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade would have to all opt out later this month and take drastic pay cuts to carve out a salary of roughly $14 million for Melo — $8 million less than the maximum Anthony can make in his first year with the Knicks in a potential new contract. In fact, a Miami deal for Anthony could be as much as $70 million less than the maximum the Knicks can offer. Another scenario would be the Heat deciding not to re-up with Bosh and replacing him with Anthony.
Jackson also expects Anthony to take a pay cut to re-sign. The two met in late April and Anthony and his entourage had dinner with assorted Knicks officials late last month. Anthony, who initially raised the pay-cut scenario during the All-Star break, has a June 23 deadline to make his opt-out official.
But this is the first meeting with Fisher, whom Jackson said he wanted to have wear his five title rings to the sit-down.
Two weeks ago, Jackson said he suggested to Anthony he wait a year to see the culture change the Zen Master brings to the organization and better gauge what kind of contract he’d need to accept in order for the Knicks to accommodate other free agents.
Even if Anthony becomes a free agent, the Knicks would still be the favorites to sign him.
Amar’e Stoudemire, in Westchester at a book-signing for his new cookbook, said he’s confident Anthony will stay.
“I talked to Melo, but we don’t talk about free agency,’’ Stoudemire told The Post. “My gut does tell me we’ll still be teammates. I never got the indication that’s he’s going to leave, but I’m sure it’s a tough decision.’’
The Miami scheme seems farfetched, especially if the Heat win their third straight title. The Bulls, Rockets and Mavericks would need to do a lot of maneuvering to get under the salary cap or to execute a sign-and-trade, and the Lakers, who are under the cap, don’t appear gung-ho on only adding Anthony.
Anthony has stated repeatedly since the Jackson hire he wants to return and the “grass isn’t always greener’’ on the other side. But he also has put the pressure on Jackson by saying he also wants to make sure he re-signs with a title contender.