Carmelo Anthony Addresses Free Agency, Says 'I Want to Retire in New York'

While New York Knicks fans haven't had much to cheer about during the first half against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday evening, a tweet from Bleacher Report's Howard Beck might just give them a reason to feel good about the team's long-term future.

Speculation about Carmelo Anthony's impending free agency has run rampant ever since he did an interview with the New York Observer, where he expressed his desire to explore free agency when his contract expires after the 2013-14 season.

This isn't the first little tidbit of information that Melo has offered up this week regarding his plans for the future. On Tuesday, he responded from criticism from TNT analysts Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith that he wasn't attracting free agents to New York.

He told Newsday's Al Iannazzone, "I have a big black book. I have a big Rolodex. People that talk about what's going on with me in the offseason, this and that, I should be getting people to come here, I am. I'm trying."

Are these statements proof that Melo wants to stay in New York? They might be proof that he understands the situation: The Knicks can (and probably will) offer him the most in free agency, and a return to the Knicks seems logical.

But one never can tell just what will happen in New York. In fact, given the team's habit of letting its own players leave and then resigning them as they approach 40, Melo could leave next season and still fulfill his promise to retire in New York.