Carmelo Anthony is hoping his stay in Portland lasts longer than this season.

The veteran forward, who's on a one-year, $2.2 million deal with the team, told the Portland Tribune earlier this week that he's hoping to finish out his career with the Trail Blazers.

"I would love to stay," he said as part of a long-ranging interview. "I feel like this is the place for me to end my career. It could have happened earlier, but it didn't. Now, where I'm at in my life and my career -- this is where I want to retire."

Anthony was out of basketball for over a year before signing a non-guaranteed contract with the Trail Blazers in November. His play since -- Anthony is averaging 16.1 points on 43.5 percent shooting in 32.4 minutes per game -- has been one of the feel-good stories in the league, so much so that Portland guaranteed his contract for the remainder of the season in early December.

"I'm happy," Anthony, who turns 36 in May, told the Tribune. "I like the group a lot. When I came in, it was like a welcome-home party. I come in and it's, 'Thank you for coming' from everybody.

"The coaches have been phenomenal with me. We talk almost every day about things I could do to help out with the team and with the young players -- things I need to be doing. I've been on board with everyone and everything from Day One."