NEW ORLEANS — Carmelo Anthony went unplugged at All-Star Weekend Friday, saying he’s willing to take “a paycut’’ to stay in New York if it gives the Knicks more flexibility to sign additional players.

Anthony also revealed during a 30-minute interview his “first priority’’ is to stay with the Knicks, but is anxious for a summit with owner James Dolan after the season to hear their plan on getting back to being championship-calibre.

If Anthony likes what he hears, he said he’s confident he’ll remain a Knick long term. Melo also revealed he “knows for a fact’’ the Knicks aren’t considering trading him at the Feb. 20 deadline.

“Without a doubt,’’ Anthony said when asked if he’d take less than the max contract to remain a Knick. “Any opportunity I have to build that up in New York, I’d do it. I told people all the time, if it takes me taking a paycut, I’ll be the first one on Mr. Dolan’s steps saying: ‘Take my money and let’s build something strong over here.’ ”

Anthony can sign a five-year, $129 million package in July as a free agent and the Knicks still could have maximum cap space in 2015 for another star free agent, such as Kevin Love. But if he takes less, it could give the Knicks more spending opportunities.

“As far as the money, it doesn’t really matter to me,’’ Anthony said. “If I go somewhere else, I get paid. If I stay in New York, I get paid. As far as the money goes, it’s not my concern. My concern is to be able to compete on a high level, a championship level, coming in this last stretch of my career. I want to compete at that level.”

If Anthony signs with an opposing team, under collective bargaining agreement rules, he would have to take $33 million and one year less on a max deal. Prior to Friday, Anthony hinted he would be willing to take less to escape New York. Now he’s willing to take less to stay.

But he needs to hear a good plan is in place to get the Knicks back to the elite. They are 20-32 and out of a playoff spot at the All-Star break.

“I haven’t had any in depth conversation with management about who I want to play with,’’ Anthony said. “What kind of team we should have. I’ve never had those conversations. I always look at what’s going on and always feel naively I could change it and turn it around and put it on my shoulders.

“That time is going to come,’’ Anthony added. “When that time comes, everything will be laid out on the table. If they can counter that we have a long future ahead of us.’’

Later, in an ESPN interview, Anthony said: “I want to win a championship, so I’m going to do whatever I have to do to win a championship. If that means testing free agency, what happens on that market, so be it.’’

As far as misguided speculation the Knicks may want to deal Anthony by Thursday, he said: “I don’t think I’ll be traded. When is the trade deadline. [Thursday]? I don’t think there’s no way possible I’ll be traded. I don’t think they’re even considering it. If they feel they want to get rid of me, we’d already have had that conversation already. I don’t think that. I know for a fact I’m not being traded and I know for a fact I’m not going in there saying I want to be traded.’’

Anthony also believes it should not take his prodding for Dolan and company to want a title contender. The Knicks are trying to break a 41-year drought and are already eyeing the 2015 cap space with Love, LaMarcus Aldridge and Rajon Rondo free agents.

“Even as a fan of New York, not me talking, they should want to make the situation better,’’ Anthony said. “They should want to have us competing at a championship level just for the sake of the fans of New York and the organization, what it stands for, the history of the organization They should want to be in those talks when they’re talking about whose the best team.’’

His close friend, Clippers point guard Chris Paul, has been in the same situation before. Anthony already has been linked to the Clippers as a destination.

“Melo is like a brother to me,’’ Paul said. “If he needs anything, he knows I’m here for hm. He makes really good decisions. I feel this decision will be no different.”

Anthony said, of his disappointment to date: “I didn’t expect the first half the season to go how we’re going, coming off last season. I was expecting us to take another step forward. Obviously we took a couple of steps back. I’ll evaluate that when the time comes.’’