Knicks president Phil Jackson recently sent several text messages to Carmelo Anthony, but the free-agent small forward has opted not to respond.
Anthony's lack of communication with Jackson has to worry die-hard Knicks fans, who are hoping the high-scoring All-Star returns to the team next season. Jackson, however, is not showing any outward sign of concern.
Phil believes Melo will return, but isn't as confident about the Knicks making moves to clear more cap space: https://t.co/azkyColyk0
— Al Iannazzone (@Al_Iannazzone) July 10, 2014
Leon Rose, who is Anthony's agent, told ESPN.com on Wednesday that his client "hasn't made a decision yet," whether to sign a max contract with New York or another club. After initially appearing lukewarm to the idea of re-signing Anthony, before the start of free agency, Jackson has taken an aggressive approach of late in hopes of retaining his star player.
He has met several times with Anthony since the free-agency period began. Jackson, Knicks general manager Steve Mills and recently hired head coach Derek Fisher flew to Los Angeles last week for an additional meeting with Anthony, who was in town for a sit-down with Laker representatives.
After that meeting, sources with knowledge of the situation revealed that Anthony appeared to be a near lock to re-sign with the Knicks. But his attitude has softened over the past few days.
A source told ESPN.com that Anthony's future is "still up in air."
While Anthony has met with several teams -- including the Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets -- latest reports indicate that he has narrowed his choice to the Knicks and Lakers.
Fortunately for Jackson and the Knicks, they can offer Anthony more money than anyone else -- $129 million over five years; the Lakers can offer a max of five years, $97 million.
Anthony owns an off-season home in Los Angeles, but is a New York native as is his wife, La La, and both love living in their home town. So despite not hearing from his top player recently, Jackson still has good reasons to feel confident that Anthony will be in a Knicks uniform next season.
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