Carmelo Anthony may already be plotting his exit from New York.

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith said Monday that, based on information he received, there is a strong possibility that the star forward will opt out of the final year of his contract in July 2014 and consider joining the Los Angeles Lakers .

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"There is no guarantee that Carmelo Anthony will stay in New York. As a matter of fact, it's at least a 50-50 proposition, if not worse, that he may elect to leave," Smith said on his local New York radio program (the pertinent statements begin around the 11-minute mark).

New York's lack of progress toward a championship and LA's potential ability to sign two max players in July 2014â€”depending on what happens with Kobe Bryant â€”will be strong pulls for Anthony, according to Smith.

"At that point, Carmelo Anthony will strongly entertain the possibility of leaving to go to Los Angeles," Smith said.

Smith also covered the possibility of Anthony playing for Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni, with whom he clashed in New York.

"Who says Mike D'Antoni's going to be there after next season, especially after the season the Lakers are expected to have (in '13-14)?" Smith said.

Smith also tossed in this juicy bit of hoops gossip: LeBron James could explore playing for the Knicks (as well as the Cleveland Cavaliers) after next season. Like Anthony, James can opt out of his contract with the Miami Heat next July and would prefer New York over LA if he leaves South Beach, Smith said.