6:20 PM PT -- Carmelo wasn't lying ... the Portland Trailblazers just signed the forward!!!
Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the 35-year-old is inking a non-guaranteed deal with the team.
Carmelo Anthony tells TMZ Sports he WILL be back in the NBA this season -- and he's even open to returning to the New York Knicks!
Everyone's been wondering about Melo's basketball future ever since he parted ways with the Houston Rockets back in January.
35-year-old Anthony has previously said he wants to get back in the league -- however, no one has pulled the trigger yet.