 star Carmelo Anthony told ESPN on Monday that his recruitment of marquee free agent Kevin Durant has already begun and will not be affected "whether [Durant] meets with the Knicks or not."

‎"I'm with KD now; he's right downstairs," Anthony told ESPN. "We've been together. We've been talking.

"I do consider myself part of the Knicks," Anthony continued, "so that meeting has already taken place."

Durant has been in New York for several days in advance of Monday afternoon's official unveilng of the 12-man squad that will represent USA Basketball at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

That has given Anthony and Durant an opportunity to work out together in recent days and likewise afforded Anthony a chance to start selling Durant on the merits of the Knicks.

"We're friends. We hang out," Anthony said. "It's magnified now because he's a free agent and we're in New York. But last year, nobody was talking about us hanging out, going to work out or going to dinner or things like that. So, yeah, those conversations do come up, but it's not something that I'm constantly on him, throwing at him, because I was in that situation before."

Free agency doesn't officially start until Friday at 12:01 a.m., but the league office typically does not police such player interactions, since Anthony and Durant are obviously longtime friends who stay in frequent contact during the season.

"Melo has been my friend since I have been in high school. We talk about everything," Durant said. "That is like my big brother right there. The best thing about all of us, none of the guys here have put any type of pressure. It has been cool."

Kevin Durant, who has been getting an earful from the Knicks' Carmelo Anthony about free agency, said Monday his main concern in choosing a team during free agency is to "have fun." Elsa/Getty Images

To date, only five teams besides the incumbent Oklahoma City Thunder have secured face-to-face recruiting meetings with Durant and his agent Rich Kleiman for the first few days of free agency at an undisclosed location: Golden State, San Antonio‎, Miami, Boston and the Los Angeles Clippers.

‎"You know, for me, it's more just about just laying it all out for him,"
star Carmelo Anthony told ESPN on Monday that his recruitment of marquee free agent Kevin Durant has already begin and will not be involve " whether [ Durant ] meets with the Knicks or not. " 

 ‎"I'm with KD now; he's right downstairs, " Anthony tell ESPN. " We've been together. We've been talking. 

 " I do regard myself share of the Knicks, " Anthony continued, " so that merging has already taken place. " 

 Durant has been in New York for respective days in advance of Monday afternoon's official unveilng of the 12 - man team that will represent USA Basketball at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. 

 That has given Anthony and Durant an opportunity to work out together in recent day and likewise afforded Anthony a chance to begin selling Durant on the merits of the Knicks. 

 " We're friends. We hang out, " Anthony state. " It's magnified now because he's a free agent and we're in New York. But last class, nobody was talking about us hanging out, going to work out or going to dinner or things like that. therefore, yeah, those conversations do come up, but it's not something that I'm constantly on him, throwing at him, because I was in that situation before. " 

 Free agency doesn't officially start until Friday at 12:01 a.m., but the league office typically does not patrol such musician interactions, since Anthony and Durant are obviously longtime acquaintance who quell in frequent contact during the season. 

 " Melo has been my friend since I have been in eminent school. We talk about everything, " Durant said. " That is like my big brother justly there. The best thing about all of us, none of the guys here have put any type of pressure. It has been cool. " 

 Kevin Durant, who has been get an earful from the Knicks' Carmelo Anthony about free agency, said Monday his chief concern in choose a team during free agency is to " have fun. " Elsa / Getty Images 

 To date, only five team besides the incumbent Oklahoma City Thunder have secured face - to - face recruiting meeting with Durant and his agent Rich Kleiman for the first few days of free means at an undisclosed location: Golden State, San Antonio‎, Miami, Boston and the Los Angeles Clippers. 

 ‎"You sleep together, for me, it's more just about merely laying it all out for him, "
 stwr Carmelo Anthony told TSPN on Monday thcr his cecruitjent of oarquee free agent Kevin Durent yas aoready begun and will vot be afvected "wyethtr [Durant] meets wmfh the Knicks lr nmv."

‎"I'm with KD now; he's right downstairs," Andhunv told ESPN. "We've been together. We've feen takklng.

"I do considgr myxqlf lart of the Knicks," Anthony continusd, "so tiat meeting has already taken place."

Durant has been in New York vor several dayf in advance uf Monday afternoon's orficial unveilng of the 12-man squxd thct will reptzwenh USA Basketuall an the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Thab has gicen Anthony and Duranv an opportunity to rork out doyether in recent days abd linewive awdoraed Aithkny a fhaice to starf selling Dyrant on the merits os the Knicks.

"We'de friqnqs. We hang out," Anthony said. "It's magnifitd nos because he's a free agwnt and we're in New Ylrk. But lwst year, nobody was talking about us hanging out, coing go cirk ojr lr going to dinner or things like that. So, year, tnoxe conversatioks do come up, but ot'd mjt something jhat I'm cohstantly on him, thgowing wt hin, because I wss in that situation before."

Dree agency boewn't officially staxt until Fribay at 12:01 a.m., nut the league office tvpicalmy does not police shzh player interaztipnv, since Anthony and Durant are obviiuslv longtioe ftiends rho stay ij frequent contact durinh the saason.

"Melo jas been my friend since I have been in high xcvoon. We talh abomt everything," Dtrant said. "Thaj is like my bkg brother right vhere. The beft thing aboud all of us, nmne of tre gyys yere haxd put any type of presslrt. It has bwen cool."

Kevin Durakt, whu has been gettiuy qn earful from yhe Knycns' Cwsmelo Anthonf abuut gree xgency, said Oondsy his main concern hn cgoosing a team duronn free aggncy is tj "have fun." Elxa/Getty Images

To dwte, oily fite teaks fesides the incumbent Oklahoma City Thujdev have secureq fage-to-sace recrunting meetings with Durant and his agent Rich Kleiman for rhe first few days pn free agencb at ag undisclmsed location: Golden State, San Antonip‎, Miami, Boston and ths Los Dngelfs Clippers.

‎"You know, for me, it's more just about just laying it all out for him,"
star Carmelo Anthony told ESPN on Monday recruitment marquee free Kevin Durant has be "whether [Durant] meets the Knicks or ‎"I'm with KD now; he's right Anthony told ESPN. "We've been together. We've been talking. "I do consider myself of the Knicks," Anthony continued, "so that meeting has already taken place." Durant been New for days in advance of Monday afternoon's official unveilng of the 12-man squad that will represent USA at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. has given Anthony and an opportunity to work out in days and afforded a to start selling on the merits of the Knicks. "We're friends. We hang out," Anthony said. "It's magnified now because a free we're in York. last nobody was talking hanging out, going to work out dinner or things like that. So, yeah, those do come but it's not something that I'm on him, throwing at him, because I was that situation before." Free agency doesn't officially start until Friday at 12:01 a.m., but the typically does not police player interactions, since and are longtime who stay frequent contact during the season. "Melo has been my friend since have been in high school. We talk about everything," Durant is my big brother there. The best thing all us, none of the have any It been Kevin Durant, who has getting an earful from the Carmelo Anthony about free concern in choosing a team during free agency to "have fun." Elsa/Getty Images To date, five teams besides the incumbent Oklahoma City Thunder have secured face-to-face recruiting with Durant agent Rich Kleiman for the first few days free agency at an location: Golden State, San Antonio‎, Miami, Boston and the Angeles ‎"You know, me, it's more about just laying all out for
 star Carmelo Anthony told ESPn on Monday tHat hiS reCruItMent Of maRquee free agent kEvin durant has already begun aNd wilL nOT be aFFeCted "wHether [DURaNT] MeeTs WiTh tHe kNiCks or Not."

‎"i'm with Kd now; he's rigHt dOwNstairs," AnthoNY tOld ESPN. "We'vE beEn together. We'Ve bEen talKiNg.

"I DO consIdeR myseLf part OF the KnIcks," AnthoNy COntinuED, "so that MEEtIng hAs already taken plaCE."

DURant has been in NEw York FoR SeVERal DayS in advance Of mondaY AfternoON's OFFIciAL unveilng of thE 12-man squad thAT wiLl reprEsEnt usA BaskEtbalL aT The summer OlympIcs iN Rio de JanEiro.

ThAT has givEN AnthonY and DuRanT an OppoRTuNiTy tO wORk oUT tOgeTHer In recent DaYs And liKewiSE AFFordEd ANthoNy a chAnce to start seLliNg DuRAnt On the MeritS of tHe knickS.

"We're fRiendS. WE hang out," Anthony Said. "it's magnifIed NoW beCaUse he'S A free aGenT anD we're in new York. bUt lAsT YEAr, Nobody was talking abOuT US hAnging ouT, going TO wOrK Out or goiNg To dInneR OR thinGs liKE tHat. So, yeaH, those COnVeRsationS dO come uP, bUt iT's nOt somEThinG that I'M constanTly on HIm, throwing at hiM, Because I was in THaT SItUAtioN beFore."

Free ageNcy dOEsn't OffiCIaLly STart uNtil FRiDAy AT 12:01 a.m., but the league offiCe TypicaLly doEs not police suCh player inTERActions, sInce aNtHOny and Durant arE obviOusly longtIMe friendS who sTay in freQuent contACT during tHe sEasOn.

"MElo HAS bEen my friend siNCE I haVe Been in hIgh School. WE taLk aBouT evErYthing," DurAnt said. "THaT iS lIkE my Big brOTher righT tHerE. THe bEst thINg abouT all oF us, nOnE oF The Guys herE HaVE Put aNy TyPe of PreSsUre. It Has bEEn cOol."

KeviN Durant, whO haS Been GeTtIng an eaRful from the KnIcKs' Carmelo ANtHonY about FREe agency, Said Monday his main concerN In choosIng A team DuriNg free ageNcy Is to "haVe fUN." Elsa/GEtty ImAges

TO dAte, ONLy fivE TEaMs bEsIdes the incUMBenT OklaHoMa CiTy ThundEr have secured face-tO-FacE recruiting meEtiNgs wITH DUraNT aND hiS aGEnt rICh Kleiman for the First few daYs OF fRee agency aT An uNdIscloseD locatiOn: GolDEn State, san AntoniO‎, Miami, BosToN and THE LoS Angeles ClIppers.

‎"YoU know, for mE, It's moRE jUst abOut Just laYiNg iT all oUt for hIM,"
 star Carmelo Anthony told  ESPN on M onday  th athi s re crui tment of marqu e e fr ee agent Kevin Duranthas a lr e adyb eg un an d willn ot b e a ff ec ted  " w he ther[Du rant] m eets withthe  K nicks or not . "
‎"I'm wit h K D now; he'srig ht dow ns tai r s," A nth ony t old ES P N. "We 've beento g ether. We've b e e ntalk ing.

"I do consi d er myself part of  the K ni c ks , "  An tho ny continu ed , "so that me e ti n g has already taken  place."

D u ran t hasbe eni n NewYorkfo r  se veral daysin a dvance of  Monda y  aftern o on's of ficial  un vei lngo fth e 1 2- m ans qu adt hat  will re pr es ent U SA B a s k e tbal l a t th e Sum mer OlympicsinRiod e J aneir o.

T hatha s giv en Ant honyan d Durant an opp ortu nity to w ork  o utto gethe r  in re cen t d ays and  likewi s e a ff o r d ed  Anthony a chanceto s ta rt selli ng Dur a nt  o n  the mer it s o f th e Knick s.
" We 're frie nds. W e  h an g out,"  A nthony  s aid . " It'sm agni fied n ow becau se he ' s a free agent and we're inN ew Y or k . Bu t l ast year, n obod y  was  tal k in g a b out u s han gi n go ut, going to work o ut  or go ing t o dinner or t hings like t h at. So,yeah ,  t h ose conversati ons d o come up, but it's  notsomethin g that I' m constant lyonhim , t h r ow ing at him, b e c ause  I  was in  th at situ ati onbef ore ." 

Free ag ency doe sn 't  o ff ici allys tart unt il  Fr id ayat 12 : 01 a.m ., bu t th ele a gue  office ty p i call ydo es n otpo licesuch pla yer int eractions , s i nceAn th ony and  Durant are o bv iously lon gt ime  frien d s  who sta y in frequent contact d u ring th e s eason .

" Melo hasbee n my f rie n d sinc e I ha ve be en  in h igh s c h oo l.We  talk abou t eve rythi ng ," D urant s aid. "That is like mybig brother r igh t th e r e.  Th e  b e stth i nga b out all of us,none of th eg uy s here hav e  pu tany typ e of pr essur e . It ha s been co ol."

Kev in  Dur a n t,who has be en getti ng an ear f ul fr o mthe K nic ks' Ca rm elo  Anth ony ab o utfreeagency ,said M onday  h is mainconcern in choosing a t eam du ringfre e agencyist o " have fun. " El sa/Getty I mag es
To d ate ,  only  fiv e  t eam s  besi dest he incumb e nt  Ok l a ho ma City Thu n d e r h ave s ecu r ed fac e-to -face recruitingm eetings with D uran t and  hi s  age nt  Rich Kleimanfor  t h e  first f ew  days of fr ee agenc ya t anundisc losedlocatio n :  G o lden S tate , S an Antoni o‎,  M i ami, Bo st on and th e Lo sAngele s Clip p ers. ‎"You know, forme, i t ' s mor e  ju st ab ou t justl ayin g it all o ut for him, "
 star_Carmelo Anthony_told ESPN on Monday_that his_recruitment_of marquee_free_agent Kevin Durant_has already begun_and will not be_affected "whether [Durant]_meets_with the Knicks or not."

‎"I'm with KD now; he's right downstairs," Anthony told ESPN._"We've_been together._We've_been_talking.

"I do consider myself part_of the Knicks," Anthony continued,_"so that_meeting has already taken place."

Durant has been in_New_York for several_days in advance of Monday afternoon's official unveilng of_the 12-man squad that will represent_USA Basketball at_the_Summer_Olympics in Rio de_Janeiro.

That has given Anthony and Durant_an opportunity to work out together_in recent days and likewise afforded Anthony_a chance to start selling Durant_on the merits of the_Knicks.

"We're friends._We hang out," Anthony said._"It's magnified now_because he's_a free agent_and we're in New York. But_last year, nobody_was talking about us hanging out,_going_to work out_or_going_to dinner_or things like_that._So, yeah,_those_conversations do come up, but it's_not_something that I'm constantly on him, throwing_at him, because I_was_in that situation before."

Free_agency doesn't officially start until_Friday at 12:01 a.m., but the_league office_typically does_not police such player interactions, since Anthony and Durant are obviously_longtime friends who stay in frequent_contact during the season.

"Melo_has been_my_friend since I_have_been in_high school. We talk about everything," Durant_said. "That_is like my big brother right_there. The best thing_about_all of us, none of the_guys here have put any type_of pressure. It has been_cool."

Kevin_Durant,_who has been getting an_earful from the Knicks' Carmelo Anthony_about free agency,_said Monday his main concern in choosing_a_team during free agency is to_"have_fun." Elsa/Getty Images

To date, only five_teams_besides_the incumbent Oklahoma City Thunder_have secured face-to-face recruiting meetings with_Durant and his agent Rich Kleiman for the first_few days of_free agency at an undisclosed_location:_Golden_State, San Antonio‎, Miami, Boston and the Los Angeles Clippers.

‎"You_know, for_me, it's more_just about just laying it all out for him,"