Report: Carmelo Anthony to make decision in next 24 hours

If you wonder why free agency is taking so long to get going, it’s because the entire league is sitting back waiting on Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh to make a decision.

Fortunately for everyone, the New York Post reports unrestricted free agent Carmelo Anthony’s decision will come within the next 24 hours:

"One of the premier marquee names along with LeBron James on the 2014 free agent market, Anthony is expected to make his free-agent decision soon, perhaps within the next 24 hours.Anthony must decide if he wants to remain a Knick and go along with the vision of the future put forth by Phil Jackson. His other choice is to possibly find a faster, although less lucrative, route to a title elsewhere."

Those teams who possibly stand in the way of a return to New York?

The Los Angeles Lakers have become the front-runners as Adrian Wojnarowski reported earlier today. The Chicago Bulls remain a viable contender, but lack the funds to offer Anthony a max contract, something that holds dear to Melo’s heart. The Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets have held meetings with Anthony, but it looks like those two teams are on the outside looking in in this race.

Wherever Anthony chooses to go, we’ll see what matters most to the forward. Anthony has refuted the idea that money matters more than championship contention, but with the Lakers and Knicks reportedly being the top two teams on his list, his words aren’t matching his actions.

Anthony will be age 30 by the time the 2014-15 season ends, so wherever he decides to sign, he’ll likely spend the reminder of his basketball prime there.