LAS VEGAS — This is Carmelo Anthony’s “dream” — play in New York with LeBron James this season.

That’s right. New York. Not Miami.

Too bad it’s a long shot to happen.

According to a friend of Anthony’s, Melo has held out faint hope Knicks president Phil Jackson can pull a miracle and clear out the necessary salary-cap space to get it done, but he is running out of time. Anthony’s decision could come in the next couple of days.

It would require Jackson to ship out Amar’e Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani’s expiring contracts, and for Anthony and James to take less than the max. Iman Shumpert might have to be dealt, and the rights to Jeremy Tyler renounced.

One report said Jackson conceivably can move $40 million under the cap with a flurry of moves — as long as he doesn’t take back salary.

“He really wants LeBron to come to New York,’’ the source said. “That’s his dream right now. Phil is trying to get it done.’’

The Knicks have talked to the 76ers regarding taking on undesirable expiring contracts, something Philadelphia may be amenable to as long as a pawn is added. The Sixers have considered taking on Stoudemire’s $23.4 million but want Shumpert in addition. Philadelphia has $30 million in cap space, but has talked to the Rockets about inheriting Jeremy Lin, and they can’t do both.

There also has been a report of Jackson turning down a deal for Bargnani and Tim Hardaway Jr. Obviously there’s no point of doing such a deal unless the Knicks have a commitment from a prominent free agent such as James — or maybe even Pau Gasol.

Jackson appears eager to clear room and not wait until 2015. The Zen Master hinted at that during the draft late last month. But it really does seem to be — to borrow Pat Riley’s phrase — “a pipe dream.’’

The Knicks’ payroll for 2014-15 declined by $3.7 million because of their trade with the Mavericks, in which the Knicks shed Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton. But Jackson has a long way to go.

“We have many handicaps with our salary cap,’’ Jackson said on draft night. “There’s always a possibility. I’m not going to rule ourselves out of anything with a chance to do something special.’’

Special likely meant James, who spurned the Knicks in 2010 free agency but may have an open mind this time.

“He didn’t want no part of New York in 2010,’’ the source said. “But he loves Phil and the chance to play with Melo.’’

Ironically, Jackson is in Las Vegas with the Knicks’ summer-league team while James is here with his Nike basketball high-school camp. Reports are James is meeting with Heat president Pat Riley on Wednesday.

Most people in the league feel James will wind up back in Miami reuniting the original Big Three with Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, not with Anthony. One NBA source said the hype surrounding a possible James return to Cleveland is emanating from the Cavaliers, who are trying to save face for their 2010 debacle.

Jackson’s move to try to get under the salary cap further demonstrates Anthony’s preference is to make it work in New York, but he still has roster concerns for 2014-15. The Lakers, too, have looked into trying to fit both James and Anthony with their cap space but to no avail. They would have to dump Steve Nash’s contract.

James could sign a two-year max deal with Miami with an opt-out after the first year, giving him a chance at New York in 2015 or in 2016, when the Knicks also could have space.

The scenario in which Anthony could join Miami to form a new Big Three with Wade if Bosh accepted the max offer from Houston is tantalizing. But Anthony would rather do it in New York.

Whether Anthony wants to stay in New York without James is an issue only he can resolve.

“He hasn’t gotten a clue yet,” the source said.

The Bulls, Lakers, Rockets, Mavericks and Knicks are awaiting answers. Knicks rookie coach Derek Fisher wouldn’t answer when asked whether he felt good about the situation.

The Bulls would need a sign-and-trade to net Anthony, and an NBA source said Jackson probably would do it if he thought he would lose him to the Lakers for no compensation.

Scottie Pippen, who had dinner with Anthony last week during his Chicago visit, said on SiriusXM NBA Radio: “I think we put our best foot forward and we pretty much wanted him to feel that we wanted him to be a part of our team and, you know, this is family here and we want him to be a part of it.”