NBA Rumors: Carmelo Anthony may stay with New York Knicks by default?

In just a few months, we’ll know what Carmelo Anthony plans to do regarding his player option for the 2014-15 season.

Most believe he’ll exercise the clause, allowing him to become a free agent – though his destination is unknown.

Some have suggested the Chicago Bulls will be a suitor – others the Los Angeles Lakers. Some have even went as far as to suggest Anthony could take a pay cut and sign with the Miami Heat (though that would take some financial creativity).

But what about staying with the New York Knicks? That’s always been a possible scenario and one that Joel Brigham of Baketball Insiders suggests could be possible, simply because Melo’s free agency options may dry up.

"Carmelo is the tough one. You could see the Lakers throwing huge money at him because God knows they need the help offensively, but the talent there is even worse than the talent in New York. Chicago would be an upgrade in a lot of ways, but I’m not sure the Bulls are interested in rostering two $20+ million players on their team for the next 4-5 years. and if those two options don’t happen, I have a hard time seeing him leave New York. I have a hard time seeing him leave, anyway, but if the other big-market options dry up, I’m not sure he’s going to find a place with everything he’s looking for, which could just mean that he stays put."

Melo joining the Lakers seems a little odd just because he and Kobe Bryant don’t exactly seem like the best of fits – despite their all-world talents. Then as Brigham suggests, the Bulls are quite conservative with their finances and paying Melo might not be something they’re open to doing.

Of course, there’s always the potential for a sign-and-trade scenario with teams void of any cap space (Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, etc) which could throw a wrench into such an idea – but Melo staying with the Knicks seems to remain a distinct possibility – potentially by default.