NBA Rumors: Phil Jackson says Carmelo Anthony is in the future plans for the New York Knicks

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Mar 12, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) shoots the ball during the third quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. The Knicks won 116-92. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) shoots the ball during the third quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. The Knicks won 116-92. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

On Tuesday, the New York Knicks made the hiring of Phil Jackson as executive vice president of basketball operations official as they held a press conference in Madison Square Garden. Obviously, the main issues on Jackson’s docket at the moment is keeping Carmelo Anthony in New York with the team for the long term, an issue he had no problem addressing when asked about.

"“I have no problem committing to saying Carmelo [Anthony] is in the future plans,” Jackson said. “There are a number of things I see Carmelo doing as he moves forward. And as great as a player Carmelo is, he still has another level to get to.”"

Anthony has the option this summer to opt out of the final year of his contract and hit the free agent market, but the Jackson hire may have derailed any plans of that.

At 30-years-old, Anthony still needs a championship ring on his finger, and has already expressed excitement at getting to learn from the Zen Master. Just the simple fact alone of hearing Jackson say that he still has another level to get to had to make Anthony happy.

We’ll see how this all plays out, but it seems like slowly but surely, the Knicks are getting themselves together.