For the New York Knicks, while they still have a few remaining games left, their 2013-14 NBA season is basically over.

For the first time since Amar'e Stoudemire became part of the Knicks in the summer of 2010, New York will not make the NBA playoffs, having been eliminated from contention for the eighth and final playoff seed by the Atlanta Hawks over the weekend. For the Knicks (35-45), the snapping of their three-season playoff streak marks the end of a disappointing season marred by injuries, erratic play and an overall sense of chaos on and off the court.

And, perhaps more significantly, the end of this playoff-less season poses one heck of a question for the future of the maligned franchise this summer: does Carmelo Anthony decide to come back to New York, or does he take his talents elsewhere?

Even Knicks fans have to agree that right now, the prognosis isn't good. Anthony has never missed the playoffs in his 10-year NBA career until this season, something that can't sit well with him, especially considering his burning desire to be crowned as an NBA champion like his fellow 2003 NBA Draft classmates LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and even Darko Milicic (won with the 2003-04 Detroit Pistons; yeah, that's gotta sting for Melo).

That being said, Anthony has made it clear that wherever he decides to hang his hat when he opts out of his contract to test the free agency waters this summer, he wants to win a ring. That's the most coveted prize sought after by last season's NBA scoring champion. And while new Knicks team president Phil Jackson might be able to put together a title contender given time, Melo might not be willing to wait when it comes to his window for winning a title in his prime. And if that's the case, then there's a few suitors on the market that might be able to help quench Anthony's championship thirst. Let's take a look at some of these teams:

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Chicago Bulls
Off the bat, pairing Melo with the Bulls seems like a match made in hoops heaven. Anthony has publically praised the Bulls and coach Tom Thibodeau, who has created a squad filled with tenacity and a blue-collar work ethic, something reminiscent of the Knicks teams of the 90s that were perennial NBA title contenders, unlike this current squad. The Bulls have a quality, defensive-oriented roster that includes the likes of All-Star Joakim Noah and, potentially, a returning Derrick Rose that, if healthy, would give Chicago a Big Three to be reckoned with should Anthony decide to take up space in the Windy City. Would they be an NBA title favorite? Instantly.

Los Angeles Lakers
Based on all the rumors that have been buzzing around for months, the Lakers are making Anthony their primary target this offseason. And rightfully so, as the image of Kobe Bryant and Melo soaring above the rim and terrorizing opposing defenses surely has a lot of Lakers fans salivating. Granted, the Lakers aren't that much better than the Knicks at this point - they're worse after a 25-55 record has them sitting on the sidelines this postseason. And they have a tenuous coaching situation with Mike D'Antoni, who reportedly didn't get along with Melo during his time in New York, still on the sidelines for the Lakers, for now. However, they still have Kobe, and that alone gives them a bigger championship window than what the Knicks can offer Melo right now.

Houston Rockets
Brilliantly constructed, the Rockets have a thriving and talented team that has improved with every year and features two legitimate superstars in James Harden and the fearsome Dwight Howard. Plus, and here's the key, they still can create the space for one more big fish to throw in their pond. Granted, they'd have to part with Chandler Parsons and Jeremy Lin, in all likelihood, but for Anthony, that's a sacrifice they would, and should, be willing to take. With the scintillating scoring of Melo added in with the slash-and-drive scoring of Harden and the defense and low-post scoring Howard provides, they could easily give the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs a run for their money come the playoffs.

Miami Heat
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. And really, who could fault Melo for wanting to shack up with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami? Granted, it would take some contract restructuring by all four mega-stars, and that would certainly mean that Anthony would have to sacrifice that big payday he would have gotten anywhere else, but what would he be getting in return? Composing a starting lineup that could go down as one of the greatest in most talented in NBA history, with LeBron, Bosh and Melo instantly forming the most talented, star-studded frontcourt in the league and all but insuring that the Heat would have a shot at more rings in the coming years. In other words, to paraphrase the White Stripes song that the "Heat Nation" loves so much, a seven-nation army couldn't hold this team back.

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