Sources: Carmelo Anthony leaning toward leaving Knicks; Bulls, Rockets in contention

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/source...--bulls--rockets-in-contention-161206919.html

New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony is leaning toward leaving in pursuit of immediate championship contention, and awaits the Chicago Bulls and Houston Rockets to clear the necessary salary-cap space to sign him in free agency, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

As re-signing with the Knicks continues to fade as his priority, Chicago and Houston have emerged as the clear frontrunners to acquire Anthony, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Anthony's meeting with Knicks officials on Friday night had little impact on his state of mind, league sources said, because there remain too many uncertainties about how quickly president Phil Jackson can reshape the team into a championship contender.

Chicago and Houston front-office executives are working diligently on contingencies to clear the space to sign Anthony outright – or engage sign-and-trade scenarios with New York, sources said.

 

Re: Sources: Carmelo Anthony leaning toward leaving Knicks; Bulls, Rockets in content

Yet another "get our hopes up only to be dashed as usual" thread.

 

Re: Sources: Carmelo Anthony leaning toward leaving Knicks; Bulls, Rockets in content

Would love to see this happen. I have no faith at this point that the Bulls will get it done. I hope to be surprised.

 

Re: Sources: Carmelo Anthony leaning toward leaving Knicks; Bulls, Rockets in content

The classic dillemma and it's a problem for both the Bulls and Anthony - Anthony could be the missing piece, but if you have to jettison a lot of your other assets to bring Anthony in, you may simply have changed the team's weakness rather than solved it.

This said, if the Bulls can get Anthony for the price of Boozer, Gibson and Butler, you need to do it.

 

Re: Sources: Carmelo Anthony leaning toward leaving Knicks; Bulls, Rockets in content

We have been dejected many times before. Will this be more of the same? I get the sense that we stand a very good chance in getting him, however, most media had James coming to us as well in 2010.

 

Re: Sources: Carmelo Anthony leaning toward leaving Knicks; Bulls, Rockets in content

The Heat didn't win the first season with the big 3. Secure the talent, then fill in around it. That's never been our plan tho.

 

Re: Sources: Carmelo Anthony leaning toward leaving Knicks; Bulls, Rockets in content

That is true.

 

Re: Sources: Carmelo Anthony leaning toward leaving Knicks; Bulls, Rockets in content

SAS said on SportsCenter this morning that the Bulls are Melo #1 non-NYK destination but I think most of us know that. He also said the Bulls are willing to trade anyone not named Rose, Noah, and Gibson. He mentioned trading Butler specifically. I found that interesting.

 

Re: Sources: Carmelo Anthony leaning toward leaving Knicks; Bulls, Rockets in content

How can this get done without trading Gibson?

Gibson should be totally, totally tradeable if it lands Melo. I hope that is just crazy talk and not what the organization actually thinks.

 

Re: Sources: Carmelo Anthony leaning toward leaving Knicks; Bulls, Rockets in content

Gibson is a 16 PER player. I like him and he's pretty good, but he's no Melo.

 

Re: Sources: Carmelo Anthony leaning toward leaving Knicks; Bulls, Rockets in content

Boston Celtics are heavy favorites to get Kevin Love if he is traded. Chicago Bulls are focused on Carmelo Anthony according to Bill Simmons

Chad Ford reported yesterday that the Boston Celtics are reportedly offering the #6, #17, future picks, young players for Kevin Love [better offer than Bulls].

Source: Chad Ford
Source: Bill Simmons

 

Re: Sources: Carmelo Anthony leaning toward leaving Knicks; Bulls, Rockets in content

Your guess is as good as mine! Unreal. FO has ALWAYS done this. 'You can't have so-and-so.'

Look I like Taj, he had a very good year last season, in fact in some aspects, he was just as good as Noah was! But, we need Melo and what he brings, period.

 

Re: Sources: Carmelo Anthony leaning toward leaving Knicks; Bulls, Rockets in content

Chicago Bulls are probably the frontrunner to land Carmelo Anthony according to people close to the situation. Chicago Bulls Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, and Tom Thibodeau all want [pushing] to [sign] Carmelo Anthony.

Source: Chris Broussard

Video http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=11102247

 

Re: Sources: Carmelo Anthony leaning toward leaving Knicks; Bulls, Rockets in content

@dan_bernstein: #NBA source: "#Bulls are #1 on Carmelo's list. Up to them to make it happen." Must clear $15-17 MM cap space, possible sign/trade.

 

Re: Sources: Carmelo Anthony leaning toward leaving Knicks; Bulls, Rockets in content

Chicago Bulls goal is to keep Taj Gibson. K.C. mentions they could trade Jimmy Butler [which we doubt happens]

In lieu of preferred S&T, key is what cut would Melo accept? Can get to $16-17M w/ Boozer amnesty, Dunleavy/Butler trades. Keeping Taj goal.

Additionally, we will add here to avoid confusion: Chicago Bulls if they sign-and-trade for Carmelo Anthony, they can offer the max. If they sign Carmelo Anthony, they can offer $16m-$17m.

Source: K.C. Johnson

 

Re: Sources: Carmelo Anthony leaning toward leaving Knicks; Bulls, Rockets in content

If we trade Taj, Melo plays the 4 and Dunleavy the 3. Not horrible at all. If we get Mirotic to come over, we're solid.

 

Re: Sources: Carmelo Anthony leaning toward leaving Knicks; Bulls, Rockets in content

Sounds good to me. If NY wants Taj, send him over.

 

Re: Sources: Carmelo Anthony leaning toward leaving Knicks; Bulls, Rockets in content

This has been a longshot from the start but it would be great.

 

Re: Sources: Carmelo Anthony leaning toward leaving Knicks; Bulls, Rockets in content

Dear Friends:

Carmelo Anthony is not signing with the Bulls. Neither is LeBron James. Why do you guys keep doing this to yourselves.

SST

 

Re: Sources: Carmelo Anthony leaning toward leaving Knicks; Bulls, Rockets in content

I think that most Bulls fans don't really expect Anthony or James in a Bulls uniform. But who knows??? ;-)