The New York Knicks are full of optimism. The race for Carmelo Anthony appears to be down to the Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers as the guard finishes up his team visits and prepares to make a decision. New York flew out to Los Angeles to meet with their franchise star and still believe that Anthony is a very real option for the long-term. However, the type of deal the Knicks are willing to offer still remains to be seen and could make all the difference.

Chris Broussard of ESPN.com reported that the Knicks will offer Anthony a max contract. They can offer the free agent more than any other team, to the tune of five years and $129 million. Any other team can only offer four years. The Los Angeles Lakers have put a $96 million deal on the table while the Chicago Bulls are offering $73 million. Would the Knicks take their max deal off the table in order to help New York elsewhere?

NBA sources have informed the Wall Street Journal that Jackson would still prefer if Anthony took a pay cut and returned to the Knicks. Anthony could take a pay cut and still earn more than he would with the Bulls or Lakers, but it would be a pay cut none the less. The Knicks could really use for the guard to agree to a smaller contract if they have any hope of improving the roster in other areas. They got some relief after trading away Raymond Felton and Tyson Chandler, but need more.

The Knicks have been linked to trades of both Amar'e Stoudemire and Iman Shumpert for the past year, but have failed to finalize things. Stoudemire is taking up a large chunk of cap space that his stats no longer warrant necessary. Shumpert is one of the better young assets the Knicks have on the roster. So far, New York has not pulled off any moves, meaning a max contract to Anthony would essentially end their offseason. Jackson is not totally ready to let that happen and will continue to suggest a pay cut to the guard for the team's sake.