Report: Jackson met with Melo, asked if he wants to stay a Knick

The million-dollar question for the New York Knicks was reportedly asked Tuesday afternoon, and it could signal either the beginning of the end of Carmelo Anthony's tenure in the Big Apple, or the start of a much-needed healing process.

Team president Phil Jackson finally met with his nine-time All-Star, asking him if he wanted to remain a member of the Knicks, sources told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.

The meeting was "far more contentious than previous sitdowns between Jackson and Anthony," according to one of Shelburne's sources.

Anthony had reached out to management on two different occasions to arrange a chat with Jackson since the release of a column from basketball writer Charlie Rosen - who's perceived as being Jackson's voice in the media - that hinted the team and its franchise player need to go their separate ways. It had been reported that both Jackson and Anthony were to meet in the coming days, but it appears that their talk took place sooner than expected.

Related - Melo: If my time in N.Y. is over, then Phil Jackson and I should talk

While it's unclear what Anthony's response was, it seems fair to assume he wants to keep competing in New York, as he's made that clear publicly on numerous occasions.

Related - Melo: I've proven my loyalty to Knicks

The 32-year-old is signed through the end of next season, with a player option worth nearly $28 million in 2018-19. If New York decides to shop him prior to the Feb. 23 trade deadline, Anthony would reportedly be open to waiving his no-trade clause and joining either the Cleveland Cavaliers or Los Angeles Clippers should an arrangement be made.