Report: Carmelo told Phil Jackson he wants to stay with Knicks
For Carmelo Anthony, there's no place like home.
The All-Star forward met with New York Knicks president Phil Jackson on Tuesday and reaffirmed his desire to remain with the team, sources told Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical.
The two had a "calm, business-like" meeting in which Jackson asked the NYC native if he wants to remain a Knick. Not only does Melo want to stay put, but he also wants to win in New York, according to a source of Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.
Anthony's contract runs through 2018-19 and includes a no-trade clause, which the 32-year-old was adamant on having so he couldn't be forced out of his hometown. Despite a report from last week that the 14-year vet would welcome a trade to the Los Angeles Clippers or Cleveland Cavaliers, sources of the New York Daily News indicate he has no intention of waiving the clause or donning any other uniform.
Related: Wade doesn't see Melo waiving no-trade clause
The Knicks, who've sputtered to a 18-24 record after a promising start to the campaign, have been in the news lately for all the wrong reasons. FanRag Sports' Charlie Rosen, who's a friend of Jackson's, wrote last week that the Zen Master has unflattering opinions about Melo and hinted toward a future in the Big Apple without the star.
Jackson told Anthony in Tuesday's meeting the criticisms in the story don't reflect his beliefs, per The Vertical's sources.
Following yet another heartbreaking defeat Monday - this time to the Atlanta Hawks, 108-107 - Anthony responded to Rosen's claims saying he doesn't need to prove his loyalty to the Knicks.
"I think I've proven that," he said. "I don't have to speak on that. I think I've proven that over the years, day in and day out."
He's standing by that.