Carmelo Anthony, Dante Cunningham

Carmelo Anthony finally picked his free agent destination, ending an offseason of rumors and speculation.

(Associated Press)

Carmelo Anthony hopes to write his lasting basketball legacy in New York.

Anthony, the former Syracuse star and the NBA's No. 2 scorer, will re-sign with the New York Knicks on Thursday, according to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, ending one of the offseason's biggest stories.

Isola left open the small chance that Anthony has a change of heart tonight but said an announcement is expected Thursday. Isola did not specify terms of the deal but reported that Anthony has an offer from the Knicks for a five-year contract for $129 million, the maximum salary he can have receive.

Ramona Shelburne, a reporter with ESPN who works extensively in Los Angeles, later Tweeted that Anthony's agent, Leon Rose, said nothing had been decided.

Anthony reportedly weighed financial ramifications, family and the need to play for a winner in a decision that most will say defines his ultimate priorities and, eventually, his career.

The Knicks offered Anthony the most money, the chance to be the team's alpha-male and, if Anthony's insistence that winning matters is to be believed, an impressive vision from new general manger Phil Jackson.

To most outsiders, including Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, the opportunity to win a title was far greater in Chicago, while the chance to be competitive immediately was available in Los Angeles and Houston. Instead, Anthony will return to a Knicks team that failed to make the playoffs last season despite one of the best statistical years of his career.

Anthony's decision held up the free agent decisions of a number of NBA franchises and cast a shadow over the entire NBA offseason. Teams spent the entire draft looking to avoid picking up salaries while others spent the offseason avoiding adding new contracts in hopes of landing Anthony.

While Anthony hasn't gone deep into the playoffs frequently, he also hasn't paired regularly with other top players, one of the reasons he chose to opt out of the final year of his contract with New York and explore his options.

Anthony's career arc has created two distinct views: One that considers him one of the NBA's rare superstars and another that deems him selfish and overrated. Anthony is regularly one of the NBA's top scorers but has led only one team to the conference finals.

Last season, when Anthony finished second in the NBA by averaging 27.4 points and missed the playoffs, only furthered that reputation. Many, including Boeheim, have defended Anthony's 2013-14 play as exceptional but obscured by bad teammates.

In an era when NBA title contenders are looking to put together three superstars, Anthony's top two teammates were J.R. Smith and Amar'e Stoudemire. The Knicks have done little so far to add to that group, although Anthony reportedly came away impressed from conversations with Jackson.

Isola reported that the franchise will next pursue free agent Pau Gasol, who spent last year with the Lakers.

According to NBA statistic guru John Hollinger's formulas Anthony ranked fourth in the NBA in value added to his team and wins added and ninth in personal efficiency rating last season. He also made more than 40 percent of his 3-point attempts for the second time during his career.