It feels as though New York City isn't big enough for both Carmelo Anthony and Phil Jackson, and if one man has to be shown the door, the nine-time All-Star would reportedly prefer it was the Zen Master.

With a no-trade clause in his contract, Anthony could choose to remain with the New York Knicks beyond the Feb. 23 deadline and simply wait to see what Jackson elects to do with his own career, a source told the New York Post's Marc Berman.

Jackson has an opt-out clause available at the three-year mark of his contract, although it's unclear whether that kicks in on March 19 (his three-year anniversary), or at the end of the 2016-17 season.

Meanwhile, Anthony is open to being moved to a contender - like the Los Angeles Clippers or Boston Celtics - but prefers to stay in the Big Apple as he feels the Knicks are still his team, according to Berman's source.

Even with a second home in Los Angeles, Anthony's wife, La La, also wants to stay in New York. Anthony has acknowledged in the past that he'll take his family's well-being into account before making a final decision on waiving his clause.

Recent reports indicated that Jackson's passive-aggressiveness toward Anthony, along with a potential trade, have only fueled the 32-year-old's desire to stick around, and that Anthony won't give Jackson the satisfaction of forcing him into a decision.

Related - Report: Agents say clients turned off by Jackson's treatment of Melo

Anthony remains on the books through 2017-18, with a player option of just under $28 million in 2018-19. He's currently averaging 23 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in his sixth full season with the Knicks, who sit 12th in the Eastern Conference at 22-32.