Phil Jackson expects a ‘positive’ outcome with Carmelo Anthony

New York is still waiting on Carmelo Anthony, but Phil Jackson has good vibes about the situation.

by Mark Sandritter

Jul 10, 2014, 8:41 PM UTC

Al Bello

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The New York Knicks, like the rest of the NBA, are currently waiting on the big free agents to make their decisions and sign contracts. For New York, that means waiting on Carmelo Anthony. The Knicks, along with the Lakers and Bulls, appear to be the frontrunners to land Anthony. Knicks president Phil Jackson said he expects a positive outcome when Anthony makes a decision, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post.

Jackson’s positive feelings come on the heels of a report from Frank Isola that Anthony will re-sign with the Knicks barring a last-minute change. When that decision will come remains a question. Jackson said he thinks Anthony will make a decision Thursday, but also thought he’d hear a decision on Wednesday. Regardless of when Anthony makes his final choice, he has options, including from the Knicks. Jackson said there are five contract offers for Anthony on the table, with reporters inferring that means from New York. Anthony is likely to secure a maximum contract, but the different offers could include deals of various lengths and other options. Player options, team options and early termination options could all be part of the discussion. Jackson could also mean there are offers from five teams with Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago and Dallas all hosting Anthony on his free agent tour.

While Jackson said he’s had good conversations with Anthony, he continues to wait for an ultimate decision. When asked why the wait has been prolonged, the Zen Master brought astrology into the equation:

Asked why he thinks he hasn't heard from Carmelo yet, Phil said: "Isn't Mercury in retrograde?" #phil
— Scott Cacciola (@ScottCacciola) July 10, 2014

Jackson appears to be slightly off, however, with Almanac.com listing July 2 as the end to the latest retrograde period. In addition to Anthony, Jackson and the Knicks are also courting free agent Pau Gasol. Gasol is from Spain and Jackson is using the Spain United Nations office in New York as a selling point.