NBA notes: Carmelo Anthony to stay with Knicks

Carmelo Anthony is staying with the New York Knicks.

Anthony has decided to remain in New York, choosing the Knicks over a number of teams which could have given him a better chance for the championship he craves.

The All-Star forward met with Chicago, Houston, Dallas and the Lakers, but has informed the Knicks he will return, a person with knowledge of the details told the Associated Press.

Anthony came to the Knicks in February 2011 after a trade with the Denver Nuggets. He led the NBA in scoring in 2012-13 and was second last year but is more interested in team success, so he spent the last two weeks considering other homes.

But the combination of the millions more the Knicks could offer and the chance to keep playing on basketball’s biggest stage was too hard to pass up for Anthony, who spent months trying for a trade to his hometown 3 1/2 years ago.

Wade on LeBron: ‘We are champions’

Dwyane Wade said he is sad to see LeBron James leave the Miami Heat, but he supports him.

Wade released a statement Saturday calling James “my brother,” and saying he knows James’ decision to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers was not an easy one for the four-time NBA MVP.

Wade, who is closing in on a new deal with the Heat, said, “We achieved the goals we set when we first signed on together. We are champions.”

Around the league

A person with knowledge of the deal told the Associated Press that Paul Pierce agreed to a two-year contract with the Washington Wizards. The deal is for the mid-level exception, which is about $5.3 million for next season, and includes a player option in the second year of the contract. … Despite not landing Chris Bosh, the Houston Rockets still plan to execute a trade that will send point guard Jeremy Lin to the Los Angeles Lakers for cash considerations, according to sources with knowledge of the deal. … The Utah Jazz matched Charlotte’s four-year, $63 million offer for restricted free agent Gordon Hayward. … The Memphis Grizzlies signed eight-time All-Star Vince Carter to a multiyear contract. … The Phoenix Suns officially announced the acquisition of point guard Isaiah Thomas in a sign-and-trade deal with the Sacramento Kings. Sacramento gets the rights to forward Alex Oriakhi, Phoenix’s second-round draft pick a year ago. The Kings also get a $7 million trade exemption. … The San Antonio Spurs re-signed guard Patty Mills and also signed first-round draft pick Kyle Anderson to his rookie contract. … A person familiar with the contract said forward Marvin Williams agreed to a $14 million, two-year deal with the Charlotte Hornets. … The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired center Brendan Haywood and forward Dwight Powell from Charlotte for guard Scotty Hopson and cash considerations. … Anthony Morrow agreed to three-year, $10 million deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder.