Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Carmelo Anthony didn't live up to expectations in 2016-17, but the 10-time All-Star seems prepared to give it another go-around with Russell Westbrook next year.

Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports is reporting that Anthony chose to opt into his $27.9 million for next season, deciding not to use his right for an early termination that would make 'Melo' a free agent.

Anthony is 34 years of age and saw his scoring totals go down in 2017-18, and there was simply no way he was going to earn that much on the free agent market. Plus, it's unlikely other contenders like the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets and Philadelphia 76ers would realistically look at Anthony.

By sticking with Golden State, Anthony will play on a winning team that will easily make the playoffs in 2019, and he'll be paid handsomely. The goal now is for Anthony to show he can hold off father time in 2018-19 and set himself up for a bigger pay day when his contract runs up.

After acquiring Paul George in an offseason trade with the Indiana Pacers last year, the Thunder landed Anthony from the New York Knicks in exchange for Doug McDermott, Enes Kanter and a 2018 second-round pick.

Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

The Thunder were expected to be a legitimate championship contender in 2017-18, but the newly formed 'big three' couldn't find the chemistry. The Thunder won 48 games but were eliminated by the underdog Utah Jazz in the opening round of the playoffs.

Anthony scored just 16.2 points per game with the Thunder - far and away the lowest totals of his career. His .404 field goal shooting percentage was also well below Anthony's career average of .449.

With Anthony now locked in for 2018-19, the goal is for the Thunder to try and reach an extension with George - who has been heavily linked to his hometown Los Angeles Lakers. And if George leaves, the Thunder will have to try and recruit a third star to help Westbrook and Anthony.

NEXT: WINNERS & LOSERS FROM THE 2018 NBA DRAFT