New York Knicks president Steve Mills claims there’s a chance Carmelo Anthony could remain with the team next season.

The first press conference of the post-Phil Jackson regime went about as you’d expect for the New York Knicks. President Steve Mills, new general manager Scott Perry, and head coach Jeff Hornacek said all the right things. Among them was Mills saying the team is ready to move on with out without Carmelo Anthony.

Via Ian Begley of ESPN New York:

“We’ve been in contact with Carmelo’s representatives. We’ve been in contact with other teams,” Mills said Monday at a news conference to introduce new general manager Scott Perry. “Our view is if there’s an opportunity that works for Carmelo and works for us, then we’ll look at some kind of trade. But we also feel that Carmelo could easily be a part of our team next year.”

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that despite New York pressing pause on trade negotiations with the Houston Rockets Anthony still expects the deal to happen.

Melo wants to play with his friend Chris Paul and MVP runner up James Harden. A dysfunctional reunion with former head coach Mike D’Antoni is likely to still be on the horizon.

The new brain trust wants to meet with Melo and get the best deal possible. It all makes sense.

 NEXT: Steve Mills is Not Phil Jackson, Which is Why the Knicks are in a Better Place