NBA Free Agents 2014: Carmelo Anthony Talks With Phil Jackson; No Guarantees That Melo Stays With New York Knicks

Carmelo Anthony revealed that he had his first one-on-one conversation with New York Knicks president Phil Jackson, but the All-Star forward said that his impending free agency was not discussed.

Anthony told Newsday this week that he had the opportunity to talk to Jackson before their game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, but he noted that their first conversation was "generic."

"He told me to get ready, go out there and play, try to finish the season off strong, that's it," Anthony said. "We didn't really talk about too much. Talked about him being in New York, him coming back out to L.A., the weather. Just generic. We really didn't talk about nothing."

Jackson is expected to be in New York next week to have another conversation with Anthony wherein the superstar forward's future is expected to be discussed.

"He [Jackson] is expected to be in New York next week when they return from their five-game trip. He and Anthony will sit down again, for a longer time, and have a more meaningful conversation about the future," Newsday noted.

Anthony, who is averaging 28.1 points and 8.2 rebounds this season, will become a free agent this summer, but most experts are convinced that Jackson's hiring sealed Anthony's longtime future in New York.

After their humiliating loss to the Lakers on Tuesday, Jackson said, "We're in a hunt for talent." Newsday suggested that the legendary coach was referring to players who could surround Anthony.

The 30-43 Knicks are currently ninth in the Eastern Conference playoff race, and are two games behind the 31-40 Atlanta Hawks.

The Knicks still have a good chance of advancing to the playoffs, but it won't be easy, since nine of their last 10 opponents have winning records. However, Anthony is remaining positive about the Knicks' chances.

"This year has been a very challenging year mentally, emotionally for me," Anthony admitted. "But I still find ways to just remain positive throughout this situation and try to win basketball games. Throughout all of this, we still have a chance to get in the postseason. That's most important."