LOS ANGELES — Carmelo Anthony said he’s loved living in Los Angeles across the years and dropped enough hints Monday his time may be done as a Knick.
Following the morning shootaround at Staples Center, Anthony was careful to say he hasn’t “thought about’’ a move to the Clippers, but didn’t reject the notion either, with a fourth straight losing season as a Knick already a certainty.
Anthony admitted the romantic idea of one day retiring a Knick — which he once said he wanted — appears “highly impossible’’ in this new NBA, and has sought advice about his future and “what could be next.’’
In acknowledging he’s done a lot of soul-searching, Anthony expressed more remorse about missing the postseason for a fourth straight spring after making it in each of his first 10 seasons.
The Knicks held preliminary trade talks with the Clippers before February’s deadline but no package formed to present to Anthony, who has a no-trade clause. The Clippers make perfect sense for Anthony. He’d hook up with one of his best friends in point guard Chris Paul, and Anthony’s former Knicks head coach Mike Woodson, who is Doc Rivers’ assistant.
According to a source, Anthony “bumped’’ into Woodson and Sam Cassell, another Clippers assistant, Saturday night at a Hollywood hotspot. Anthony had his best season under Woodson in 2012-13.
“Nah, don’t start,’’ Anthony said when asked if he envisions making L.A. his workplace. “I haven’t thought about it. There was an opportunity during the deadline. There was always talk the last couple of seasons being connected to Clippers or Lakers. Somehow always been connected. First it was the Lakers. Now it’s the Clippers situation. I try not to think about it — especially now when I’m still playing with the New York Knicks and got to prepare to play against these guys.’’
There are 13 games left before Anthony’s critical exit meeting with Knicks president Phil Jackson. According to a source, Jackson hopes Anthony is at least open to seeing if the Knicks can find an agreeable trade in the summer.
Anthony made no bones about his “family’’ enjoying Los Angeles in the offseason. Before the trade deadline, Anthony said family was a big factor in deciding whether to waive the no-trade clause.
“Sometimes you need to get in a new environment and feel a different type of energy and vibe,’’ Anthony said.
Anthony was referring to his team, but he probably could have been talking about his career, too.
“Over the years, I’ve grown to like it,’’ Anthony said. “I think as you get older, you start looking for places you can relax and enjoy and be good over the years. L.A. has been a place where my family feels comfortable at. We’ve been here for seven years now.’’
That the club fell apart after Christmas has gnawed at Anthony and could finally be his breaking point, with the way he was talking. The Knicks were 27-42 heading into Monday night’s matchup with the Clippers. It’s the third straight year they’ve been out of the playoff race by mid-March.
“I’ve come to grips with that,’’ Anthony said. “I had times to think about that over how many weeks it’s been, trying to utilize time to clear my mind and be at peace with it — our situation.”
Asked if he thinks if it will ever happen in New York, Anthony said: “Honestly I think about it a lot. I try to put everything in perspective. I think about it all. I think about here. I think about it. The postseason. My teammates. I think about everything. I think about it a lot and put everything in perspective and hear other people’s take on it. … At the end of the day, it’s on me.’’
Anthony admitted the storybook scenario of always playing for the same team is unrealistic.
“Even when back in Denver: Yeah, I’m never leaving here,’’ Anthony said. “I want to be that guy who plays on one team the rest of his career. The way that the game is and business is, I think it’s highly impossible to accomplish that. The guys who accomplish that, you have to take your hat off to. A lot of things have to fall into place for that to happen.’’
Though he’s been on the outs with Jackson, Anthony wouldn’t say he’s bitter about the team’s collapse.
“I don’t think it’s angry,’’ Anthony said. “It would take a lot for me to say ‘angry.’ It makes you want to think about what’s next, what could be next, thinking about those situations. I always think about times I’ve had in the postseason. The games and experiences I’ve had. I think about that all the time.’’
Anthony said Paul’s Clippers “have the pieces to make a little run,’’ but he’s not envious of his friend. LeBron James is also in town, facing the Lakers, but the trio didn’t “meet up and talk like we wanted to talk — about the weather.’’
Asked if he’s envious of his buddies, Anthony said: “Not even that. More for me and the competitor I am. I want to be there. I pride myself on that.’’