Nine-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony is reportedly set to "pursue opportunity elsewhere" if the New York Knicks will fail to make a significant improvement in its roster after the upcoming free-agency season.

The former NBA scoring champion had repeatedly said in the past few months that he wants to stay and finish his career in his hometown New York and that he continues to believe in the plans and vision of current Knicks president Phil Jackson.

Like Us on Facebook

However, with the Knicks losing three in a row and holding a 28-43 record for third to the last place in the East, the team is set to miss the postseason for the third straight year, which is said to be another blow in Anthony's championship aspirations as his age continues to advance while his championship window keeps on getting smaller with every season that passed.

Daily Knick's Max Ogden reported that the 31-year-old small forward is still keen on staying with the Big Apple franchise next season, though, but "if Phil Jackson fails to strike gold in free agency" then Anthony will "pursue an opportunity to win elsewhere".

Ogden cited the report of ESPN's Ian Begley, who said that "Anthony may change his stance (of staying with the Knicks next season) - and look into his options on the trade market - if the Knicks fail to add talent in free agency, according to league sources with knowledge of the situation".

The report also mentioned about Anthony and Jackson's recent closed-door meeting about the future of the franchise, and though the two-time All-NBA Second Teamer seemed enthused by the coming plans of the 11-time NBA champion coach this summer, no details were given about it.

"It's in their court. The ball is in their court," said Anthony. "They have an opportunity, we have an opportunity to do something this offseason. We gotta do something. It's there."

This summer's free-agency season could really be a make or break situation for New York if they want to keep Anthony in the long run. As for Anthony, it remains to be seen what he will decide to do once the dust settles after what looks to be an interesting NBA offseason ahead.

TagsKnicks news & rumors, Knicks News & Rumors 2016, NBA News & Rumors, NBA News & Rumors 2016, new york knicks, carmelo anthony, Phil Jackson