Amare Stoudemire doesn't believe Carmelo Anthony's upcoming free agency will be a distraction to the New York Knicks, the All-Star big man told the Long Island Newsday.

Stoudemire is confident that his teammate remains focused on the upcoming season, but he advises Melo to keep quiet until his contract expires this summer.

"I dealt with it before," Stoudemire told Long Island News Day. "What I did was I kept it quiet until the actual summer. I think it won't be a distraction. We understand what we're trying to do as a team. We're trying to win a championship. We're trying to improve on what we built on last year. So it shouldn't be a distraction for us as players. We should be okay with it."

The power forward added that Anthony will make the best decision when the actual time of free agency happens.

"We know this league is based upon business decisions, how you feel and how your family feels, and what's best for your family," Stoudemire said. "I'm sure he's well-educated. He knows what it takes, the best opportunity for him and his family. So we'll see how it goes."

Anthony is expected to opt out from his current contract to become a free agent in the summer of 2013, joining elite superstars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant, and Chris Bosh.