Anthony has been deemed selfish for forcing his way out of Denver to New York for a larger payday while depleting the team’s roster of most of its assets.
Instead, Anthony could have signed with the Knicks as an unrestricted free agent, and the team could have held onto Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Timofey Mozgov and a 2014 first-round pick for other potential trades.
“In the end, I think Anthony’s options are more limited than he realizes, and the option of staying in New York and getting an extra $30 million winds up being the most appealing,” an Eastern Conference scout said.
Unlike fellow draft classmates LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, Anthony was the only member of that group to sign a five-year maximum extension, with a fourth-year option, for more guaranteed money.
As a result, it’s hard to see Anthony passing up an extra guaranteed $30 million, which only the Knicks can offer under the terms of the CBA.
Should Anthony decide money won’t buy happiness this time around, the Los Angeles Lakers represent his best option to join a team with a proven winning track record, the ability to pay him adequately and a fellow star in Kobe Bryant.
The Lakers can offer a four-year, $96 million deal and are located in a large market that Anthony and his wife, LaLa, desire.
However, the Lakers also have their eye on Kevin Love for the summer of 2015. That means they 
would have to pass on signing Anthony this offseason for a realistic shot at Love, a California native who is younger and considered one of the elite players at his position.
The Lakers also have a 2014 draft pick, something the Knicks don’t have.
Should the Lakers take a star wing player such as Jabari Parker or Andrew Wiggins at the top of the draft, it would force the organization to decide whether Anthony is a better fit at power forward now, or wait for Love in 2015 and make one last run with Bryant.
Riddled with injuries, the Lakers have lost 15 of their last 18 games and have fallen mightily in the standings, making a high draft pick more likely with each loss.
Ultimately, Anthony will most likely choose between the Knicks and Lakers.
The Clippers and Bulls have also been mentioned as possible destinations, but both teams would have to make considerable maneuvers to become realistic options financially for Anthony to consider at this time.
If Anthony leaves the Knicks for the Lakers, he will pass up $30 million, surrender his alpha dog status with his hometown franchise and receive backlash for his slash-and-burn job on the Knicks, who will be stuck with largely the same core next season barring any deals involving trade chips Shumpert and Tim Hardaway Jr.
That leaves 2015 as New York’s last chance to build around Anthony with potential star free agents such as Love and Rajon Rondo available.
Anthony reportedly has tried to recruit Rondo to New York this season.
If the Lakers land Anthony, they become fringe contenders next season with a healthy Bryant and a top pick in the most hyped draft in years.
If not, the Love to Los Angeles rumors in 2015 will grow louder.
With all that in mind, I’m willing to bet $129 million Anthony remains in New York and attempts to realistically compete for a championship in 2015.
Michael Scotto is a Sheridan Hoops NBA columnist. You can follow him on Twitter.
You can certainly see your enthusiasm in the work you write.
The arena hopes for even more passionate writers such as you
who are not afraid to mention how they believe.
At all times follow your heart.
I agree completely with premise of article and that of the scout reference.
Anthony may not have a good viable alternative if he hits free agency. I don’t even think the Lakers are a good alternative from a winning point of view.
-When Kobe returns, he’s likely to have enough of an impact so that Lakers don’t get better than a top 6 or 7 pick, which won’t land them a star player.
A clearly diminished Kobe might not play more than 1 year together with Anthony and in order to keep options open for Kevin Love, Lakers would have to forfeit Gasol and only re-sign inexpensive players for 2014-2015 season. That’s not even mentioning that Anthony and D’Antoni don’t like each other.
-99% of NBA fans have no clue about how the new CBA works. Assumptions from the past about Lakers always retooling no longer applies, and Kobe has helped to hurt the Lakers with his outrageous contract along with his serious injuries that could make this all moot if can’t even finish out his contract due to setbacks.
However, as I’ve written before, Anthony has 1 trick up his sleeve that can work if he chooses. He can tell Dolan that he plans to go to PHOENIX in free agency. That would scare the Shi_ out of James Dolan, forcing a trade to a team of Melo’s choice. (Knicks would get back change on the dollar). And if Melo really wants to win, he should be happy to finish his career in Phoenix.
Melo is not really a hometown boy for New York. He was born there, but grew up in Baltimore and learned his hoops game there. And Kevin Love is from Oregon, not California. Other than that, good article.
At least Lebron James took a paycut to go to the Heat and win. I dont want to hear about Melo was uncertain about the new CBA bc a max under the new CBA is still more than Lebron makes a year. Melo wants his money first , so he is reaping what he sews. Then he comes out before the season starts and says he “wants to be a free agent” another selfish decision that undermines the team. Melo even ran Lin out of New York..why..bc Lin was getting all the attention.
So I hope he leaves via FA or forces a trade..he will always be behind Lebron…bc say what you want about Lebron he has always wanted to win first BEFORE MONEY. He didnt decimate the heat to get him, then complain about lack of players and assets around him.
Problem with this article is Chris Copleand and Steve Novack DID NOT PLAY CONSISTENT MINUTES. So its wrong to say they where keys to the Knicks success. Novack barley played because of his defense and Copeland only played when players where hurt. I would argue we where good last year bc of the “leadership” and more importantly JR SMITH was a legitimate 2nd scorer. Also, Felton played more consistent last year. Half the time I doubt the people who write these articles even watch the Knicks play.
It also cracks me up when Melo says he wants to leave (or the rumors come out) bc the Knicks dont have flexibility and the future looks bleak bc of lack of assets. The reason why its hilarious is that HE MADE THE KNICKS EMPTY their assets to trade for him.
HE HAD TO GET PAID. Had he waited to FA we would have had our draft picks and could have dealt the players elsewhere. Not to mention MELO had TO GET THE MAX. So if he wants to blame someone for the Knicks roster HE NEEDS TO LOOK IN THE MIRROR.