Agent: Carmelo to 'explore options'

— -- Carmelo Anthony officially opted out of the final year of his contract with the New York Knicks on Monday and will test free agency this summer, his agent, Leon Rose says.

"Carmelo loves being a Knick, he loves the city and he loves the fans," Rose said. "At this stage of his career, he just wants to explore his options."

Anthony can sign a maximum contract worth $129 million over five years with the Knicks. He can sign a maximum deal worth $96 million over four years with another team.

Anthony has discussed the possibility of accepting less than a max contract to help the team that he signs with attract additional free agents. Anthony would consider signing with the Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets or Dallas Mavericks, sources say.

The Miami Heat have also explored their available options in trying to pursue Anthony, ESPN.com reported earlier this month.

Knicks president Phil Jackson said recently that he hoped Anthony would consider opting into the final year of his contract and testing free agency in the summer of 2015, but Anthony stated publicly throughout the season that he intended to become a free agent this summer.

Teams can meet with Anthony on July 1, the start of the NBA's free-agency period.

Anthony has already done some research on the city of Chicago and the Bulls have reportedly done some homework on Anthony as well. According to league sources, Anthony has talked to at least one high-profile person who lives in Chicago about what it's like to be famous in the Windy City.

Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau has reached out to some of Anthony's former coaches to inquire about the seven-time All-Star, according to a report in the Chicago Sun Times.

ESPN.com reported in March that Anthony and Bulls center Joakim Noah talked about playing under Thibodeau during the All-Star break and that conversation turned into a recruiting pitch from Noah to Anthony.

Jackson said late last month that he's "not losing sleep" over Anthony's free agency but is "definitely concerned" about the idea of Anthony signing elsewhere. Anthony has said publicly that he'd like to stay in New York but he also wants to be in position to win an NBA championship.

The Knicks don't appear to be on the verge of title contention. New York won just 37 games last season and is projected to be over the salary cap this summer, which will limit its ability to sign free agents.

Jackson and the Knicks are expected to try to sell Anthony on the idea that they can add a star to the roster in the summer of 2015, when they are expected to have significant cap space.