Carmelo Anthony is not in the postseason this year which means free agency is all he has to think about. The New York Knicks guard could easily re-sign with his current team. Phil Jackson is making moves to set them up on the right path for next season. However, Anthony is ready to be wined and dined in free agency. As multiple teams set their sights on the guard, he is ready for the interest to come to him.
According to The Sporting News, Anthony wants the "Dwight Howard treatment" in free agency. Anthony is not referring to the PR gauntlet that the center put himself after departing the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers within a year. Anthony wants teams to come to him. The guard plans on setting up shop somewhere in either New York or Los Angeles and having interested teams come meet him instead of traveling all over to various states much like LeBron James did.
Free agency officially opens on June 1 and multiple teams are expected to seek a meeting with Anthony. He has already announced his intentions to opt out of his current contract and see if a team emerges with a better money offer and better roster than the Knicks currently have. Anthony has said that Phil Jackson certainly impacts his interest in remaining with New York, but the Knicks are not set up to win in the future which is really what the guard is basing his decision off of.
The Chicago Bulls are in full belief that they lead the race to sign Anthony in the offseason. According to Marc Stein of ESPN.com, the Bulls are prepared to make a few roster moves in order to make Anthony the best offer possible. No matter what, Chicago cannot offer the fifth year and extra cash the Knicks can. However, shedding a few contracts could make the Bulls in the lead over other teams in the market.
Chicago is prepared to use the amnesty clause on Carlos Boozer and trim his salary. They are also considering releasing a player like Taj Gibson in order to be able to offer Anthony a salary in the range of $16-18 million per year. They might be able to push that to $20 million with the right moves. Pair that with Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose on the roster and the Bulls are truly looking like the top contender to land Anthony in free agency.
