USA TODAY Sports

New York Knicks All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony said in an NBA TV interview with Ahmad Rashad that LeBron James made a “smart” decision to join forces with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami.

Frank Isola of the New York Daily News broke down ‘Melo’s comments via Twitter:

Anthony can make more than $23.3 million next season with the Knicks, but he also has an early termination option in his contract that would allow him to become a free agent at the end of the 2013-14 season.

Last season’s NBA scoring champion said in October, “I want to be a free agent,” per Rafi Kohan of The New York Observer.

All signs point to Anthony testing the free-agent waters in 2014, and now there’s some evidence to suggest that Anthony may look to join forces with All-Star-caliber talent elsewhere. James’ decision did allow him to win two titles (and counting) after all.

Back in 2010 when Anthony played for the Denver Nuggets, he stated that he would not sign a contract extension unless he was traded to the Knicks, per Chris Sheridan of ESPN.

There was a time when New York was the ideal destination for Anthony, but that way of thinking may be in the rearview mirror.

The Knicks are currently near the bottom of the Eastern Conference with an 8-17 record. J.R. Smith has been a shell of himself (shooting 33.3 percent from the field), the point guard position has been ravaged by injury and Tyson Chandler has only been able to play in five games.

Anthony can ultimately make more money if he decides to re-sign with the Knicks, but Dwight Howard showed last summer that financial incentive doesn't always rule a player's decision-making process.

As it stands, the Knicks are just trying to right the ship. Nobody knows what Anthony is planning for the future and beyond, but this latest comment should give Knicks fans at least some worry.