Carmelo Anthony: 'I'm in the prime of my career'
Carmelo Anthony isn't anywhere near finished.
The 31-year-old told CNBC's Kelly Evans in an interview released Friday, that he plans to play another seven seasons before wrapping up at the age of 38.
"I think I'm in the prime of my career right now. I have years to go in this league," Anthony informed Evans. "I see guys playing 20 years. That's a goal of mine - to play 20 NBA seasons."
Anthony, who already has 13 seasons under his belt, is fresh off his ninth-straight All-Star appearance after posting a career-high in assists despite declining scoring totals. He recovered nicely from knee surgery, bouncing back in the 2015-16 season, logging 72 games in a strong campaign with the New York Knicks.
His team, however, continued to struggle.
The Knicks, who won just 32 games, swapped head coaches midway through the season. Now they'll start next season with an entirely different face - that of former Phoenix Suns coach Jeff Hornacek - guiding them from the sidelines.
As for joining the 20-season club, Anthony has the size and outside shooting ability to settle nicely into a reduced role (similar to Paul Pierce) when his athleticism eventually escapes him. It's just a matter of staying healthy and enduring the unending grind of rehab during his golden years.
Only five players in the history of the NBA have logged 20 or more seasons, with Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett serving as the most recent examples.