GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Carmelo Anthony liked the Los Angeles Lakers’ pitch to him in free agency so much that he may use some of it this summer with the New York Knicks.

“It was a great pitch. I might take that from them, take what they did and start recruiting on my own over here,” Anthony said with a laugh after practice Saturday.

Carmelo and the Knicks entered play Saturday with the second-worst record in the NBA, so this season is essentially over. But New York is optimistic about the future because the club could have upwards of $30 million to spend in free agency this summer.

Potential free-agent targets include Wes Matthews, Draymond Green, Goran Dragic, Greg Monroe and Reggie Jackson, who will be a restricted free agent.

Top-tier free agents such as Marc Gasol, Rajon Rondo and LaMarcus Aldridge aren’t expected to end up in New York.

The Knicks also will have interest in Chicago’s Jimmy Butler, but Bulls management has vowed to match any offer made to the restricted free agent.

No matter who the Knicks target, Anthony will be involved. He said he wants to play a role in recruiting players to New York.

Last summer, the Lakers’ pitch to Anthony included a movie produced by Hollywood big shot Joel Silver. Los Angeles also talked to Carmelo and his wife, LaLa, about avenues the couple could take in the entertainment industry.

Anthony may be able to use some -- but not all -- of the Lakers' pitch when he talks to free agents this summer.

He joked that his blueprint to recruit players would leave out any mention of the harsh winters in New York.

“No snow,” he said with a laugh.

Bargs not close to return: Knicks coach Derek Fisher said Andrea Bargnani, who has played just one game this season due to calf and hamstring injuries, is still limited in practice.

“His activity level is starting to pick up and hopefully in the next couple of weeks we can start to see something that will tell us he’ll be back out there soon,” Fisher said.

That’s an ominous prognosis for Bargnani, who is in the last year of his contract and making $11 million this season.

The Knicks, according to sources, will try everything they can to move Bargnani by the trade deadline. If that doesn’t happen, the veteran forward/center may be waived to open up another roster spot for a younger player.

Melo, Fisher believe in Kobe: Kobe Bryant is expected to miss nine months following shoulder surgery. Some have wondered if Bryant will retire instead of going through another rehab.

But both Fisher and Carmelo believe Bryant will eventually return to the court.

“He’ll be back for sure,” said Anthony, who is close friends with Bryant.

Added Fisher: “He’s just as determined to come back from this one, and his mind doesn’t see it any other way, and that’s the way you have to be.”

Fisher “loves” New York: Fisher refuses to get caught up in the misery of a 9-38 season.

“I love being here, I love working with [Knicks president] Phil [Jackson], I love -- even with our struggles this year –- what it is we’re trying to do,” Fisher said.

Some speculated in the offseason that Jackson would be too hands-on with Fisher, blurring the lines of authority for the players. But that hasn’t been the case, Fisher says.

Jackson watches practices and games but has had “very few direct comments” to the team, according to Fisher.

“We talk every day about the team, what he’s seeing and observing,” Fisher said. “Still, in being myself and my own man and my own coach, I take that information and include that in my decision-making process in terms of what I think is best for the team.”

Question: If you were Phil or Carmelo, how would you sell free agents on the Knicks?