OKLAHOMA CITY — A new documentary detailing his two-week free-agent odyssey in July depicts how close Carmelo Anthony was to requesting a sign-and-trade to join Chicago, saying, “There was one point in time I was like, ‘Oh, I’m going.’’’
The behind-the-scenes, day-by-day look at Anthony’s free-agency tour will be shown Tuesday on MSG Network. During the program titled, “Carmelo Anthony: Made In NY,’’ Anthony emphatically states it came down to the Knicks and Bulls. The show depicts Houston falling out of the running because of the “culture change’’ of living in Texas and the Lakers losing out because they were in a similar, rebuilding situation to the Knicks.
The Post obtained footage of the half-hour program, which was produced by Melo Enterprises Inc. and Tollin Productions, that shows inside conversations between Anthony, his manager, Bay Frazier, who normally keeps a low profile, agent Leon Rose and VP of business development Asani Swann. One person familiar with the program said edits are still being made to the film and it was not the final version.
“It came down to Chicago and New York,’’ Anthony said during the program. “Chicago was the one from Day 1 [and] was something I was very impressed with. They were looking for someone like me to come in and take them to the next level. So it was perfect.
“It was a perfect setup and perfect fit for me in Chicago. But also I had to think about just living in Chicago. Do I want to live in Chicago? Do I want to take everything I created in New York and move all of that? It came down to that. But there was one point in time I was like, ‘Oh, I’m going.’’’
During one conversation, Anthony and his entourage agreed they would need a sign-and-trade with the Bulls to get the maximum contract. During the show, Frazier states the Bulls could only offer $74 million.
On their plane ride from Chicago to Houston following the get-together with the Bulls, Anthony tells Rose, his agent: “Great meeting. You could see the culture they have over there. The seriousness they have, what they’re about. It comes down to winning to me, and that’s what they’re about. That’s what I like. They hit everything right on the nail. That’s hard to do.”
Rose answers: “Great first step. They’ve set a pretty high standard for everybody to follow.’’
During a meeting at a Chicago lounge, Anthony also said to his agent and Frazier: “D-Rose is tough. He even hit me [up]. I’ve been talking to him. Him and [Joakim] Noah. Noah’s more outgoing. But I’m glad we did them first.’’
Late in the 13-day process, Frazier tells Swann: “He goes to bed one night saying he wants to go to Chicago. He wakes up the next day and says New York. Then he’s stuck again. That’s how he feels. And he’s so loyal to New York he wants to stay and become a champion there. Which would blow everything away.’’
“That would be crazy,’’ Swann admitted.
Frazier told Swann of the dilemma: “Do you want to win? Do you want a quick fix? It’s Chicago. But it’s not guaranteed to win anywhere. So you got to think about that.
“You also got factor money — even though it ain’t about money — you want to win and got to understand what New York is trying to do and he gets that. He gets Phil Jackson being a winner. They don’t do a sign and trade with Chicago — that’s $74 million as opposed close to $129 million. That’s a no-brainer.’’
Anthony, currently out with back spasms, signed a five-year, $124 million deal with the Knicks, taking less than the max to give them more cap space.
“There were days Leon and Bay were hitting me with: ‘What are you thinking?’ ’’ Anthony said. “I don’t know. I started to get overwhelmed from the phone calls from them. I’m like, ‘I don’t have a bleeping answer for you. Leave me alone.’ ”
“I wish I knew,’’ Anthony told Swann in one scene. “Because if I knew, I would just do it.’’
In the documentary interview, Anthony speaks to the show’s title.
“Although it does look greener on the other side, it’s not always greener on the other side,’’ he said. “It’s only couple of people in each genre who are made for New York. Whether it’s music, fashion, or sports. I’ve grown up on that concrete. There is nothing that could happen there that I wouldn’t know how to handle it.
“I was the little kid running around in the projects and not knowing what would happen next. Whether my dreams would come true. To see it full circle now, it’s a great thing for me. A fresh start, clean plate, trying to build a different culture. The past perception of the New York Knicks hasn’t been great. But now we want to change that culture.’’
Anthony also said he wasn’t willing to live in Texas despite meeting with the Rockets and at Mavericks owner Mark Cuban’s house.
“I really had to ask myself: ‘Do you want to go to Houston?’” Anthony said. “It’s a culture change for me. I’m East Coast. I’d have to slow all the way down. Am I ready for that? Do I really want that?’’
As far as his rejection of Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, Anthony said: “We always talked about kind of playing with each other one day. So when I met with them — their pitch was amazing. Just me and Kobe on that team, you just had to throw in pieces in there until next year. So figured why pick up and leave when New York is in the same situation? So I had to really want to get out of New York to come to almost the same situation.’’
Anthony repeated a sentiment he has made about being done with free agency.
“I would advise any [player] who gets a chance to try free agency to do it,’’ Anthony said. “But also the flip side of it is the s–t is stressful. The s–t is overwhelming. I would never do it again. I can say now I’ve experienced it. I would never ever do it again.’’