Carmelo Anthony on recruiting Kevin Durant: ‘We’ve been talking’

The New York Knicks plan to do all they can to convince Kevin Durant to sign with them, and it sounds like Carmelo Anthony is leading the charge.

Anthony told Marc Stein of ESPN.com on Monday that he has already begun recruiting Durant.

“I’m with KD now; he’s right downstairs,” Anthony said. “We’ve been together. We’ve been talking. “I do consider myself part of the Knicks, so that meeting has already taken place.”

Since free agency does not officially begin until July 1, Anthony essentially admitted to tampering. However, the NBA’s tampering rules are aimed more at team officials and coaches, and even still hardly anyone follows them.

“You know, for me, it’s more just about just laying it all out for him, giving him the real,” Anthony added. “Being in that situation before and knowing how much he has to think about‎ and what he has to go through, him not wanting to leave Oklahoma ‎(after) all the time that he spent there, ‎I felt the same way when I was in Denver, spending 7 1/2 years there and then to have to make a decision‎.

“But you leave it up to him. He’s going to make the best decision for him. I think that’s the most important thing‎.”

Durant is reportedly choosing between six NBA teams, and the Knicks are not one of them. One NBA agent believes there are only two teams with a legitimate chance at getting Durant to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder, though the Knicks are optimistic they can at least get K.D. to listen to their pitch.

Although the Knicks have been terrible the past two seasons, they have a ton of potential now that they have acquired Derrick Rose. If Rose can remain healthy and return to his MVP form, New York would likely be a playoff team. Carmelo is hoping that will be enough to convince Durant to give the Knicks a long look.