Everyone wants to predict where Carmelo Anthony will be headed this summer. The New York Knicks star will be a free agent at the end of the season and will have every team fighting to sign the All-Star. While Anthony remains relatively quiet on the entire matter, his wife, La La, believes staying in New York is the likely option.
La La went on Bravo TV's "Watch What Happens Live" to speak on her husband's upcoming free agent status. She believes Anthony will opt out, but ultimately stay with the Knicks.
"I definitely think he will stay," Anthony said. "I know that he wants to stay, and I support him wherever he wants to go. Listen, I used to live in Denver with him. If I can live in Denver, I can live anywhere. I just want him to be happy."
La La denied any idea that she will have influence in Anthony's decision. She stressed that Knicks fans can rest assure knowing that she will let her husband make up his mind about where he is headed and she will have no say.
"I get blamed for everything. No matter what happens, it's my fault," La La said. "[There are] all these talks if he's staying in New York or not, [and] I'm somehow the mastermind behind if he stays or not."
Anthony could certainly stay in New York despite the team performing well below expectations this season, sitting at 17-27 on the year. However, the Knicks have the upper hand in the situation with the capability of offering the most money of any other team. If Anthony opts out and chooses to re-sign, the Knicks can offer a five-year deal and almost $30 million more than any other team. But, the Knicks are not set up well for the future with very little wiggle room in the coming years when it comes to finances and draft picks.
Many believe Los Angeles could be a frontrunner to sign Anthony. The Lakers are a large-market team and Anthony could team back up with Kobe Bryant. Mitch Kupchak remains coy on the possibility while Bryant says he has no plans on recruiting Anthony since everyone in the league wants to play for the Lakers any way.
"Well, everybody wants to play in Los Angeles," Bryant said, via ESPN.com. "I mean, New York is a beautiful place, don't get me wrong, but it is colder than s--- out here. You know, palm trees and beaches obviously are a little more appealing. All jokes aside, I think that players, when that time comes, will have to make the best decision for them and their families. I try not to think about it too much. If he wants to call me for advice later as a friend, I will be more than happy to give it to him."
The Chicago Bulls could also be in the running to last the star in his 11th season. The Bulls have plenty of cap space and could get some more with few offseason moves. A healthy Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah could be enough to get Anthony.
"That's the only thing I care about. Anything else is irrelevant to me when it comes to basketball," Anthony said. "Championship is the only thing that's on my mind, is the only thing I want to accomplish, I want to achieve, and I'm going to do what I got to do to get that. That's my motivating factor. Nothing else even motivates me anymore, just that."