Carmelo Anthony is the star of the New York Knicks. They paid a high price for him via trade. After this season, he can become a free agent.

And he will. Carmelo Anthony has openly declared that he will opt-out of his contract. It's the same as opening the door. For the NBA media and the blogosphere, that small opening is enough to declare that he's on the way out.

But opening the door means you can also walk back inside. Carmelo clarifies this in a post game interview last Thursday (quoted from the NY Post):"I want to retire in New York, I mean, let's just be quite frank. I think a lot of people jumped the gun when I said I wanted to be a free agent. And yeah, I want people to come play in New York. I want them to want to play in New York. I want New York to be that place where guys want to come play."

In their season opener, the same issue was addressed when Carmelo was asked about Charles Barkley's statements. Barkley is one of the most outspoken people, whether as a player and now as an analyst. He criticized Carmelo for bringing up free agency when he should be recruiting for his team:

Quoted from the NY Daily News: "Somebody just told me now (what Barkley said). I don't listen to that guy, not at all. I don't care about doubters. I really don't to be honest with you. They don't know what I'm doing. I haven't had a complaint yet in my 11 years in this NBA about playing with me. I think people would love to come to play in New York. And when that time comes we'll be working on that. 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."

He continues: "The free agency, that's not hanging over my head. I'll deal with that in the offseason when that time comes. So that's not something I'm actually thinking about at this point in time. I'm very excited about this season. I think it'll be a great season, I believe it'll be a great season and I think we have a hell of a chance to do something this year."

Carmelo has never been a free agent. He signed his extension with New York as a condition of the trade. In the past though, he said he likes the notion of being courted by teams and cities. He also mentioned that Los Angeles is the ideal city for his lifestyle. His wife, former actress Lala Vazquez would certainly agree. We have a full season and nothing is set in stone. No matter what the player says. Isn't that right, Dwight Howard?