National Basketball Association

Report: Carmelo agrees to contract to return to Knicks

Published Jul. 12, 2014 1:05 p.m. ET

foxsports

The New York Knicks finally have their man.

After entertaining a number of teams' pitches, Carmelo Anthony reportedly will return to the Knicks.

Anthony, who has spent the past three-plus seasons in the Big Apple, had sit-down meetings with the Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and the Knicks during the past two weeks. But Anthony opted to return to the Knicks, who have undergone changes in the front office (Phil Jackson) and on the bench (Derek Fisher).

Jackson already has made his mark on the team, acquiring point guards Jose Calderon and Shane Larkin, swingman Wayne Ellington and center Samuel Dalembert in a three-team trade last month. After losing out on hiring Steve Kerr as head coach, Jackson brought in first-time coach Fisher to implement some of Jackson's coaching philosophies.

Yahoo Sources: Carmelo Anthony finalizing 5-year, $120M-plus deal with the New York Knicks. http://t.co/Abwsmz2phz
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 12, 2014

The Knicks are still financially hamstrung this summer but will have salary-cap relief next year when the contracts of Amar'e Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani expire.

Anthony, who missed the playoffs last season for the first time in his 11-year career, will have to be patient and trust that Jackson can construct a roster that will help Anthony win his first title.