Carmelo Anthony pursuit expected to include Bulls and Rockets

[Sportsguy9695]

Carmelo Anthony has yet to publicly reveal the process by which he plans to entertain other teams in free agency now that he has opted out of his contract with the New York Knicks, but the Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers are among the teams that expect to have the opportunity to make their pitch to him starting July 1, according to sources close to the situation.

Teams can't formally contact free agents until 12:01 a.m. ET July 1, but sources told ESPN.com that the Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat are two more teams that could join the race for Anthony, depending on how things play out before, during and after Thursday's NBA draft.

The Bulls are widely regarded as the early favorite to steal Anthony from the Knicks, with sources saying Monday that Chicago has been quietly planning for this free-agent pursuit for months, going back to the January trade of Luol Deng to Cleveland. Sources say every move Chicago made during the season's second half -- including the seemingly minor signings of veterans Ronnie Brewer, Lou Amundson and Mike James to very tradeable contracts -- was made with the hope they might be helpful in a potential sign-and-trade with the Knicks for Anthony.

Source: ESPN

 

[avalon2423]

I actually think the Bulls strike out on this one. I dont think he goes to Chicago. i dont think he is going to the Lakers or Houston either. He will most likely enjoy the FA recruitment and then resign with NY

 

[purguy12]

Im a Bulls fan and we usually strike out on FA stuff. Its the MJ curse. Players are afraid to play here. I think he ends up in NY. More money and his Family loves NY. His Wife has her BF and Family in the NY/NJ area. I just don't see him leaving. 40-50 million is a lot to leave on the table.

 

[gordontrue]

Im a Bulls fan and we usually strike out on FA stuff. Its the MJ curse. Players are afraid to play here. I think he ends up in NY. More money and his Family loves NY. His Wife has her BF and Family in the NY/NJ area. I just don't see him leaving. 40-50 million is a lot to leave on the table.

If there is an MJ curse, it was worth it.

 

[HuskerCradle2Grave]

If there is an MJ curse, it was worth it.

 

[CalamityX11]

I can't see Melo playing under Thibs... the guy is not a Thibs player at all...

 

[fordman84]

If there is an MJ curse, it was worth it.

hell yeah. We have a curse worse than Chicago, and no MJ to have enjoyed

 

[purguy12]

If there is an MJ curse, it was worth it.

I agree

 

[purguy12]

I can't see Melo playing under Thibs... the guy is not a Thibs player at all...

Word is Melo likes Thibs a lot. He likes that he knows that D wins and he puts his team in great position to win. Look what thibs has done the last 2 years with out his star player. He gets the most out of his team(well one of the coaches in the league that does this.)

Melo knows Bulls are missing that 2nd scorer. 1 question for Melo will he play D. I think he would when it counts, meaning the playoffs. Maybe not during the season every night.

 

[podsox]

no curse. players just don't want to play in a cold weather city

 

[Kinzu]

If there is an MJ curse, it was worth it.

I'm pretty sure there is a worst curse in Chicago

 

[purguy12]

no curse. players just don't want to play in a cold weather city

Players go to NY. I live in NJ and its cold here. Players also go to Boston for sports. Another good weather team.

Cold weather shouldn't matter in basketball. They play inside an arena.

 

[lakersrule]

Dallas just traded for his teammate. Not sure how close Anthony and Chandler were. I wonder if any portion of this move was made to entice Anthony.

 

[purguy12]

Dallas just traded for his teammate. Not sure how close Anthony and Chandler were. I wonder if any portion of this move was made to entice Anthony.

I think it hurts more then anything. He couldn't win with him so why follow chandler plus chandler and Dirk are aging. Plus aging players in Carter and Marion. Not a great roster. I wouldn't go their.

 

[lakersrule]

I think it hurts more then anything. He couldn't win with him so why follow chandler plus chandler and Dirk are aging. Plus aging players in Carter and Marion. Not a great roster. I wouldn't go their.

Good points. I wouldn't go there if I was Carmelo either. The Bulls seem like his best landing spot.

 

[purguy12]

Good points. I wouldn't go there if I was Carmelo either. The Bulls seem like his best landing spot.

As a Bulls fan Im use to them striking out in FA, I just don't see it. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[trojanfan12]

As a Bulls fan Im use to them striking out in FA, I just don't see it. I hope I'm wrong.

If 'Melo wants to win, he goes to the Bulls. If he wants to just make a lot of money, he may as well stay in New York.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

If 'Melo wants to win, he goes to the Bulls. If he wants to just make a lot of money, he may as well stay in New York.

Assuming the Heat Big 3 stay, and upgrade, IMO adding Anthony doesn't get the Bulls over the hump.
Who are they losing to add him?

Also, are you assuming for some reason we're seeing MVP Rose? If yes, why?

Last time we did see MVP Rose, he could barely dribble when James locked down on him.

 

[trojanfan12]

Assuming the Heat Big 3 stay, and upgrade, IMO adding Anthony doesn't get the Bulls over the hump.
Who are they losing to add him?

Also, are you assuming for some reason we're seeing MVP Rose? If yes, why?

Last time we did see MVP Rose, he could barely dribble when James locked down on him.

It's certainly no guarantee, especially if the Heat do a good job re-tooling. But the Bulls have shown that they can defend the Heat as well as any team in the league, they just don't have the offense to back it up. 'Melo, at least gives them more of a fighting chance.

As for who they give up? I'd imagine Taj Gibson would probably be in the mix along with a pick or bench player.

Not sure what they'll have in Rose, but if he's at least solid, then he helps their chances with 'Melo on the team. Remember, when Lebron shut down Rose, he was really their only true weapon on offense. 'Melo would change that dramatically.

 

[PackMaster]

Also butler really slows james down unlike anyone else. Add either afflalo or mirotic and thats some fire power.