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NEW ORLEANS -- Carmelo Anthony said Friday he knows "for a fact" the Knicks wont trade him, and said he would be open to staying in New York for less than a maximum contract. Anthony has said he plans to become a free agent this summer. The NBAs trade deadline is Thursday, but Anthony ruled out any chance the Knicks would move him to avoid the possibility they could lose him for nothing in July. "I know for a fact Im not being traded," Anthony said at the NBAs All-Star weekend. "Theres two things: I know for a fact Im not being traded and Im not going in there and saying I want to be traded." New York can pay him around $30 million more than any team, but Anthony said he wouldnt insist on making the Knicks do it. "As far as the money, it dont really matter to me. If I go somewhere else I get paid, if I stay in New York I get paid," Anthony said. "So as far as the money goes, thats not my concern. My concern is being able to compete on a high level, at a championship level coming at this last stretch of my career." The Knicks arent doing it now. They are 20-32, one of the leagues biggest disappointments after winning the Atlantic Division last season, and are wasting a strong season by Anthony that has him ranked second in the league with 27.3 points per game while also averaging 8.6 rebounds. The Knicks need plenty more, and it will be tough to get because they are already so far over the salary cap. Not having to pay Anthony all of the more than $120 million he would be eligible for could help. "I talk to people all the time. I always say if it takes me taking a pay cut, Ill be the first one on Mr. Dolans step saying, Take my money, lets build something stronger," Anthony said, referring to Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan. Anthony was traded to New York just after the All-Star game three years ago and has reached the playoffs in each season. But they are currently out of the playoff picture even in the weak Eastern Conference, and Anthony will have to decide if he feels they can put a championship team around him as he approaches his 30th birthday. "He makes really good decisions and I feel this decision for him will be no different," said the Clippers Chris Paul, one of Anthonys closest friends in the league. "I know he loves it there. His family loves it there. Most of all, he loves to play basketball there. I dont know what his decision will be, but whatever he does, Ill support him 110 per cent." Cheap Falcons Jerseys Authentic . "No difference at all," chirped U.S. roommate and linemate James van Riemsdyk. "Its still the same cranky Phil. Cheap Falcons Jerseys China .C. -- Carter Ashton had a pair of goals and added an assist as the Toronto Marlies downed the Charlotte Checkers 5-2 on Saturday in the American Hockey League. http://www.cheapfalconsjerseyselite.com/. Trailing 5-4 in the third set, the 12th-ranked Isner fought off two match points and evened it at 5-5 with consecutive aces. The former University of Georgia star had his only service break of the match to go up 6-5 before firing the last four of his 30 aces to close out Ginepri, an Atlanta resident ranked 281st. Wholesale Falcons Jerseys . -- Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew practiced in a limited capacity Friday, a positive sign he might be able to play against the Tennessee Titans. Cheap Atlanta Falcons Jerseys . There is no argument that the line of Pacioretty, David Desharnais and Thomas Vanek was one of the hottest in the NHL leading into the post-season, and they did combine for three goals and seven points, but it was the depth of all four lines that helped propel Montreal.If Troy Smith is the man Jim Popp has pegged to replace Anthony Calvillo at quarterback in Montreal, hell have some big shoes to fill. Regardless of who is tabbed to replace Calvillo, or at least get first crack at it, there are big shoes to fill. Calvillo has said hes leaning towards retirement after concussion troubles likely capped a brilliant 20-year career as the leagues all-time leading passer. The five-time league All-Star also has three Grey Cup rings and was three-times named the leagues Most Outstanding Player. Steering clear of those lofty standards for the time being, can Smith be the guy to lead Montreal back to the top of the East Division? In his four game audition for the role of successor (three regular season contests and the Eastern Semi-Final), the former Heisman Trophy winner had middling numbers, averaging 231 yards per game with 2.dddddddddddd25 touchdowns to one interception and a 54 percent completion rate. He was the teams third fill-in after Montreal grew tired of both Josh Nieswanders and Tanner Marshs uneven play. Smith gave the Als a chance to win in each of his starts, finishing with a 2-2 record, but fell short of other first-time starters like Zach Collaros and Bo Levi Mitchell in their stints this season. Smith was short on preparation time as well however, being signed in mid-August, only two months before his first start; a full off-season and training camp will serve the former NFLer well. The Rouge asks: Is Troy Smith the guy to replace Anthony Calvillo in Montreal? As always, its Your! Call. ' ' '