New York Knicks superstar Carmelo Anthony knows "for a fact" he will not be traded and says he's open to staying with the NBA team for less than a maximum contract.
The NBA's trade deadline is Thursday, but Anthony ruled out any chance the Knicks would move him to avoid the possibility of losing him for nothing in July.
"I know for a fact I'm not being traded," Anthony said at the NBA All-Star weekend.
"There's two things: I know for a fact I'm not being traded and I'm not going in there and saying I want to be traded."
New York can pay him around $US30 million ($A34 million) more than any team, but Anthony, who plans to become a free agent this summer, said he wouldn't insist on making the Knicks do it.
"As far as the money, it don't really matter to me. If I go somewhere else I get paid, if I stay in New York I get paid," he said.
"My concern is being able to compete on a high level, at a championship level coming at this last stretch of my career."
The Knicks aren't doing it now. They are 20-32, one of the league's biggest disappointments after winning the Atlantic Division last season.
Anthony is having a strong season, however, ranking second in the league with 27.3 points per game, while also averaging 8.6 rebounds.
He needs more help on the team, but it will be tough to get because the Knicks are already so far over the salary cap.
Not having to pay Anthony all of the more than $US120 million ($A134 million) he would be eligible for could help.
