Carmelo Anthony Reveals Why He Didn't Sign Knicks Contract in 2022 After Lakers Stint

Before officially retiring from the NBA, Carmelo Anthony considered making one more run with the New York Knicks.

On the latest episode of the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast, Anthony explained he was having talks with the Knicks in 2022 after his stint with the Los Angeles Lakers before he opted against signing with the team due to not knowing what his role would be.

The 2022 offseason was a transformative one for the Knicks. They signed Jalen Brunson to a four-year, $104 million contract in free agency. They were also in the mix to trade for Donovan Mitchell, but came up short in part because they declined to send Quentin Grimes to the Utah Jazz.

By not making the trade for Mitchell, the Knicks were able to keep cap space open that allowed them to add players like Donte DiVincenzo, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges.

The Knicks have built one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference over the past two seasons. They might have made it to the Eastern Conference Finals last season for the first time since 2000 if they didn't have so many injuries to key players throughout the playoffs.

Anthony said he wanted to "bow out gracefully" after having "a hell of a year" with the Lakers. The 10-time All-Star had transitioned to being a bench player at that stage of his career. He averaged 13.3 points on 37.5 percent three-point shooting in 69 appearances with Los Angeles during the 2021-22 season.

Despite not signing with the Knicks in the summer of 2022, Anthony waited to officially retire until May 2023.

Anthony played 19 seasons in the NBA from 2003 to '22. He began his career with the Denver Nuggets before being traded to the Knicks in February 2011.

The Knicks made the playoffs in Anthony's first two seasons, including earning the No. 2 seed in 2012-13. Their 54 wins that season remain their highest win total since 1996-97 (57-25).

Anthony's 24.7 points per game with the Knicks is the second-highest average in franchise history. Only Bernard King's 26.5 points per game ranks ahead of him.