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This is neither full nor decisive, and nothing can be made official until Thursday, but here you go:
Carmelo Anthony is prepared to spend the prime years of his career in New York, the Daily News has learned.
A person close to Anthony told The News on Wednesday that barring a last minute change of heart Anthony will re-sign with the Knicks after "agonizing over this" for the past week.
"He will have something for everybody on Thursday," said the friend who was with Anthony before Anthony's scheduled workout with Kevin Durant and Kevin Love in Los Angeles on Wednesday. "He is really torn because this is the biggest decision of his career. But he wants to get it done in New York. He told me he believes in Phil."
Isola says "the deal on the table" is the full max of $129 million. Woj says some other strange, fairly negative things as well:
Carmelo Anthony hadn't been a part of any scenario about joining James in Miami, sources tell Yahoo. @FisolaNYDN reports he's staying in NY.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 9, 2014
Within Anthony's circle, belief's been this, sources tell Y: Get NY's $129M now, figure out destination later. You can always get a trade.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 9, 2014
Several days ago -- and maybe it's changed since but... -- 'Melo hadn't even been able to reach LeBron James, sources tell Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 9, 2014
That, I imagine, is a response to everyone assuming Melo would wait for LeBron James to make his decision. This-- a friend of Melo's telling Isola something will happen "barring a last minute change of heart"-- is not done, nor would I assume the full max just yet.. More as it comes.
Updates:
Re Melo: Source says "no decision yet." Teams pursuing him have not received definitive word. @FisolaNYDN reporting Melo is returning to NY.
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) July 9, 2014
Knicks have no reason to believe Anthony is going anywhere but New York, source says. Team just has not been told of decision.
— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) July 9, 2014
Carmelo Anthony's agent Leon Rose tells ESPN that "he hasn't made a decision yet" on Knicks/Lakers.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 9, 2014