New York Knicks All-Star forward Amar'e Stoudemire admitted that he is unsure whether or not Carmelo Anthony is planning to stay in the Big Apple beyond this season.
In an interview with Ian Begley of ESPN New York, Stoudemire said that he is expecting Anthony to stay with the Knicks, but he quickly added that he is not 100 percent sure about the superstar forward's plan.
"My gut feeling is that Carmelo will be staying," Stoudemire said. "That's my gut feeling right now today but I'm not totally sure."
Anthony, who averaged 27.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per game this season, will become an unrestricted free agent this summer, and the 29-year-old forward made it no secret that he would consider all options.
The Knicks can offer a maximum five-year deal worth around $129 million this summer, while other teams can only offer a maximum four-year contract worth around $96 million.
Anthony said that his priority is to stay with the Knicks, and has expressed willingness to take a pay cut as long as their executives can build a championship team this summer.
The 11-year veteran also added that signing elsewhere is not a long shot, especially if a team with a good chance of winning a title puts an attractive offer on the table.
Previous reports indicated that the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, and the Dallas Mavericks are interested in acquiring Anthony this summer.
Among the interested teams, the Bulls have the upper hand, according to reports, as Anthony is intrigued by the possibility of teaming up with Derrick Rose and All-Star center Joakim Noah.
Stoudemire knows what it feels like to become a big-name free agent, but the veteran power forward clarified that he will not try to influence Anthony's decision this summer.
"I try to let those guys handle what they do," Stoudemire said. "I try to stay out of it and I focus on what I can do to better the team and I just take it as that. You don't want to have too many opinions floating around."
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