NBA Rumors: Carmelo Anthony might take a discount to return to New York Knicks

When the news broke that Carmelo Anthony will re-signing with the New York Knicks many assumed the star forward would be accepting the maximum contract, worth $129 million over five years.

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However, Anthony might actually take a discount, albeit a very slight one, to return to the Big Apple.

From Yahoo Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski:

"Carmelo Anthony will sign a five-year, $120 million-plus contract to return to the New York Knicks, league sources told Yahoo Sports.(…)Anthony might still take less than the maximum $129 million the Knicks can give him, a source said."

Taking just a few million fewer than possible might not seem like a lot, but every dollar will count for Phil Jackson and Co. as they try to build a championship contender around Carmelo.

While New York does not have the financial flexibility to add another top player around Melo this offseason, the Knicks should be able to make some big moves in the future, As Wojnarowski notes.

"Anthony, 30, is a seven-time All-Star and the cornerstone of Jackson’s plan to use salary cap space in 2015 and ’16 to lure a star free agent to the Knicks."

Still, the important thing for the Knicks right now is that Anthony is returning, whether he takes the full $129 million or not.

Lose Anthony and New York would have been one of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference next season. With Carmelo, they should be in playoff contention in 2014-15, at the very least.

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