The Knicks are meeting Carmelo Anthony in Los Angeles

We knew Carmelo Anthony would meet with the Lakers today in Los Angeles. We did not know until just now that the Knicks would be waiting for him after that meeting. ESPN first reported that the Knicks are flying out to meet Melo this evening, and Marc Berman follows up with details:

Looking to wrap up before the July 4 holiday, the Meloapalooza 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.

"Before the July 4 holiday", taken literally, means...tonight.

You can see where this is headed. Knicks are surely hoping they get a verbal commitment from Melo to re-sign TONIGHT in their meeting in LA

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 3, 2014

That would really be something. No new word on whether the Knicks are going to show up with a maximum, five-year, $129 million contract in hand or encourage Melo to take less. Earlier reports with sources on both sides leaned toward the max, but Phil Jackson has pushed the other way in public statements. No Dolan in the room is nice either way.

More as it comes!

Update (3:06 PM):

Knicks hoping to get a verbal commitment from Carmelo tonight in LA. A source "doubts" it will happen this quickly.

— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) July 3, 2014

Around Carmelo Anthony, there's a belief that he plans to take the weekend in Los Angeles to make a decision on his free agency choice.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 3, 2014

3:27 PM:

A conversation that Carmelo Anthony had been pursuing in recent days, sources tell Yahoo: With Pau Gasol, about playing together w/ Knicks.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 3, 2014

7:22 PM:

Here's the full Woj report(pretty much the same info as above, but at length) if you're interested.

8:40 PM:

Well, *someone* is willing to offer Melo the (lower and shorter because it's not the incumbent team) maximum salary

Lakers made it clear to Melo today they'd offer the maximum, 4-yr, $97mil contract they can, if he chose them.

— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 4, 2014

9:38 PM:

It's Chris Broussard, but the rumor persists that the Knicks are willing to pay Melo maximum salary (about $129 million over 5 years)

Source: Knicks told Melo tonight that he can have max contract. Privately, they have told him this all along. Reiterated it tonight.

— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 4, 2014

Hearing same as @Chris_Broussard. Phil Jackson and #Knicks have told Carmelo Anthony that he can have a max contract. 5 years, $129 million.

— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) July 4, 2014

Source: Melo did not give the Knicks an answer or a timetable tonight. He will take the long weekend to think things through.

— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 4, 2014