LAS VEGAS — It looks like Carmelo Anthony is coming home. Again.
Nearly 3 ½ years after he forced his way to the Knicks, citing his Brooklyn roots, Melopalooza is expected to end in the Knicks’ favor Thursday when the star forward agrees to terms, allowing new Knicks president Phil Jackson to put a notch in his belt.
According to a source, the Knicks are making plans for Anthony’s second homecoming and are confident they will hear officially on Thursday, the first day teams can make any deals official.
However, Anthony’s agent Leon Rose said Wednesday no decision had been made. The Knicks have yet to be informed of Anthony’s plans, nor have the Bulls, believed to be runners-up. Anthony could announce his decision on his Twitter account Thursday, and the Knicks likely will stage a press conference shortly.
According to a friend of Anthony’s, Melo thinks there’s a chance free-agent big man Pau Gasol will be coming to New York with him.
Jackson has targeted Gasol, who played with the Lakers when Jackson was their coach, with the $3.27 million mini-mid-level exception. If Jackson can clear more payroll by dumping either Amar’e Stoudemire or Andrea Bargnani, the Knicks would have the full $5.2 million mid-level exception or then be allowed to execute a sign-and-trade. In their current tax bracket, they aren’t permitted to inherit a free agent via sign-and-trade.
Meanwhile, it is uncertain whether Anthony will accept the full five-year, $129 million offer or take a little less to give Jackson salary-cap flexibility. Anthony wants the club to add more pieces and Gasol’s brother, Grizzlies center Marc Gasol, is on the Knicks’ radar in 2015.
Knicks coach Derek Fisher said he hasn’t been told that anything has changed with Anthony, but he already is envisioning his return.
“Having played with some of the greatest players who’ve ever played the game before, it makes everyone’s job easier,” Fisher said after a summer-league practice regarding the prospect of Anthony re-signing. “That’s the way it will be if it happens.
“I haven’t been told anything at this point. It would be great if it were to happen. I’d be excited if I am told that.’’
Fisher said he doesn’t think the Knicks necessarily need to make another big move.
“There’s an assumption we have to do something,’’ Fisher said. “We have a lot of good players on our team as it is.”
Before Anthony’s recruiting trip, The Post reported a source connected to Anthony’s inner circle saying, “There’s reason to believe he’s staying. There’s just too much money out there. He’s doing the right things, though. He’s got to make the rounds.’’
The Post reported on Friday the Knicks believed they had satisfied almost all of Anthony’s concerns.
“I don’t think the money ever was the most important part,’’ a source close to Anthony said. “I think his concern was could they make the team better this season. He is comfortable in the outer years but needed to be convinced about the upcoming year.’’
The Knicks were considered favorites because of concerns about uprooting his family and a belief in Jackson’s plan. The Post reported his Brooklyn-born wife, La La Vazquez, didn’t want him to leave the Knicks.
The Knicks would edge out the Lakers, Bulls, Rockets and Mavericks. Anthony decided against waiting any longer on the Heat and LeBron James. Miami could have formed a new Big Three with Anthony, if Chris Bosh leaves for Houston, but Anthony never bothered to visit Miami. Anthony preferred Jackson opening up major cap space to get James to New York, but that hasn’t materialized.
Kobe Bryant hasn’t given up hope on Anthony joining the Lakers.
“I would love to play with him,” Bryant told ESPNLA Wednesday at his basketball camp at UC-Santa Barbara. “We’ve really clicked since 2008, and I would love to see him out here [in Los Angeles].”
In his Knicks debut in February 2011, Anthony was introduced to the strains of “Coming Home” — a moving night with big expectations on the horizon. But Anthony’s stint hasn’t been as prosperous as envisioned, with the Knicks failing to get out of the second round in three postseasons and missing the playoffs this season, when they fell to 37-45. Now he should get a chance to take care of unfinished business.
Anthony averaged 27.4 points per game last season, but didn’t make enough big shots in the final minutes of close games and was not included on any of the three All-NBA teams. He was 0-of-8 this season in the last 10 seconds of games that were within three points or less and 1-of-13 in the final 30 seconds.
Anthony’s hope is with Jackson, Fisher and associate coach Kurt Rambis, he will get easier shots in the last minute of games and the triangle offense will be free-flowing.
Anthony also is enamored about playing with new point guard Jose Calderon, acquired in the Mavericks trade, after the offense and defense suffered with Raymond Felton at the point.
The Knicks’ 2013-14 crash ignited speculation Anthony would flee for a title contender and take a significant pay cut to do so. But there is no slam-dunk title opportunity other than in Miami. The Bulls didn’t have the cap space to make a competitive offer and banking on point guard Derrick Rose’s knee was troubling. The Knicks never believed the Lakers were seriously in the mix.