GREENBURGH, N.Y. _ Carmelo Anthony plans to return Tuesday night from a back injury that sidelined him the last two games, but he didn't sound ready to say he would return to the Knicks next season.
With his future as a Knick in question and the season winding down, these could be Anthony's final five games with the team. He said he hasn't thought about it yet, but he wouldn't rule that possibility out.
"I haven't put that in perspective yet, maybe as the last couple of games come down," Anthony said after practice Monday. "Maybe it'll cross my mind, not right now."
The Knicks, who face the Bulls on Tuesday, tried to move Anthony before the Feb. 23 trade deadline, and are expected to look to deal him again this offseason.
Anthony, who will be 33 next month, has a no-trade clause in his contract so he can veto any trades. But after missing out on the postseason the last four years he might welcome a change of scenery. Anthony said he's trying "to find the joy in playing basketball again."
It's no secret that Anthony and team president Phil Jackson have a rocky relationship. Jackson took some shots at Anthony in an interview with CBS Sports Network in December and just before the trade deadline on Twitter.
Last week, Scottie Pippen, who played for Jackson with the Bulls, said on ESPN that Jackson is the reason for the Knicks' failures and he shouldn't be back as president. Pippen also praised Anthony for being professional this season. When asked about Pippen's remarks, Anthony smiled.
"I think in this situation everybody has an opinion," Anthony said. "I'm just glad people speaking up, whether it's good or bad, people are speaking up, having their own opinion, rather than me trying to convince or not convince people of the situation or what's going on and I could just play basketball. Everybody else sees what's going on so they're going to have an opinion."
Jackson walked away from reporters when asked for a comment.
Anthony has been cryptic with some of his quotes recently. Last week, he said he didn't know his role right now, before saying he can "see the writing on the wall." Anthony was asked to elaborate, but he wouldn't.
"I see the writing on the wall," he said. "You don't know what writing is on the wall, though, but I see what writing is on the wall.
"You know I'm not going to tell you that. You can't reach."
It should make for an interesting exit interview when Anthony sits down with Jackson toward the end of next week. In past postseason meetings, Anthony's wanted to know the direction of the team. Anthony sounded as if he's looking forward to expressing himself this time.
"The chips will be on the table in that meeting," Anthony said. "Honestly, I don't know what to expect, but I got a good feeling. The chips will be on the table."
Until then, Anthony isn't sure how many of the remaining games he'll play in, but he'll try to enjoy his time on the court _ which could be his last in a Knicks uniform after six-plus seasons.
"I'm going to go out there and play," he said. "I'm going to play basketball. It's the game that I always played and had fun and enjoyed. Although it hasn't been as fun as I wanted it to be and trying to find the joy in playing the game again. These last couple of games is something that I'll go out there and play. When I'm out there I'll play hard and see what happens and enjoy it again."
