Carmelo Anthony returned to the NBA on a non-guaranteed one-year, $2.15 million deal with the Portland Trail Blazers for his 17th season.

Anthony told Shams Charania of The Athletic that he wants to play beyond the current season.

“This ain’t a damn farewell tour,” Anthony said. “My love for the game don’t stop. I don’t know where this ‘farewell tour’ thing came from. I’ve never talked about a farewell tour. I know what I can do and I believe in myself. When a farewell tour comes, it comes. That’s not something I think about. I’m not thinking about retiring right now. I had during this past stretch over the summer.

“But ain’t no retiring in my mind. I believe in what I have left.”

During his sabbatical, Anthony talked to his star friends LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, but neither the Los Angeles Lakers or Miami Heat ever came close to signing him. Anthony also never asked.

“As far as friendships, I would never put business along with friendships,” Anthony said. “I would never do that. I would never reach out to a friend and say, ‘I need this. Can you do this for me?’ when it pertains to a situation that may not be in their control. It was frustrating being in my position, but I just decided: control what you can control.

“I got close friends on a lot of teams that I would never reach out to for a favor. It’s just not who I am.”