Anthony staying put: source

Carmelo Anthony has decided to remain in New York, choosing the Knicks over a number of NBA teams that could have given him a better chance for the championship he craves.

The All-Star forward met with Chicago, Houston, Dallas and the Lakers, but has informed the Knicks he will return, a person with knowledge of the details told Associated Press on Saturday on condition of anonymity because no announcement was made.

The Knicks offered Anthony a maximum contract worth nearly $130 million over five years, about $35 million more than any of his other suitors under NBA rules, though it is unknown what the final terms of his deal will be.

Anthony came to the Knicks in February 2011 after a trade with the Denver Nuggets. He led the NBA in scoring in 2012-13 and was second last year but is more interested in team success, so he spent the past two weeks considering other homes.

But the combination of the millions more the Knicks could offer and the chance to keep playing on basketball's biggest stage was too hard to pass up for Anthony, a New York native.

His decision came a day after LeBron James announced he was going to sign with Cleveland, leaving Anthony as the best free agent on the market.

Meanwhile, free-agent center Pau Gasol said he has decided to join the Chicago Bulls.

Gasol announced on his verified Twitter account on Saturday that he was looking forward to the "new chapter" of his career in Chicago. He said the choice was not easy and he decided on the Bulls "after meditating a lot".

It was unclear if Gasol had signed with the Bulls or was a part of a sign-and-trade deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he played for parts of seven seasons. San Antonio and Oklahoma City also were believed to be in the hunt for the 34-year-old veteran.

The 7-foot Gasol averaged 17.4 points and 9.7 rebounds in 60 games last season with Los Angeles.

Associated Press

(China Daily 07/14/2014 page23)