The NY Knicks have a number of big questions this offseason and to keep Carmelo Anthony from the Chicago Bulls or Houston Rockets, a Tyson Chandler trade could be in the works along with trades involving Iman Shumpert, Amar'e Stoudemire, Raymond Felton or Andrea Bargnani, as Melo is the top priority for New York in the offseason over a Levin Love trade or even trying to sign LeBron James.
The Knicks had a very tough season in 2013-14 and after missing the playoffs and looking mostly terrible, Carmelo Anthony is starting to plot out his summer and what he plans on doing in free agency. Anthony has the chance to opt out of his contract this summer and everyone and their mom expects him to do so and even with that, the Knicks technically are the favorites because they can give him the most money and longest contract of anyone else. According to ESPN.com, the Houston Rockets and the Chicago Bulls are expecting to make runs at Anthony and they are the two teams other than the Knicks to watch this summer when it comes to Melo.
Pro Basketball Talk reported that Anthony is starting to get together with his "people", including Creative Artists Agency agent Leon Rose, and CAA advisor William Wesley, as he plots out what move to make next. So far the trade to the Knicks has not been a success, as the team took a major step back last season after winning the division the previous year and that stunted growth could be what brings Anthony to another city. Even with Phil Jackson involved, the Knicks are at least two years away from contending unless they make a major trade and Anthony will have to take that into consideration as he looks at what to do next.
Anthony had another strong season and led the team in scoring, but as he nears 30, he knows he doesn't have too many years left in his prime. Anthony will have the chance to sign one more major contract and this is it and while the Knicks can give the most money, Anthony is looking for the best chance to win a championship. Many think that the Bulls are a perfect fit for Anthony since their biggest weakness is on the offensive side and Anthony could easily come in and be that guy. The team will have to move Carlos Boozer or Taj Gibson to make it happen, but with a Big 3 of Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose, the Bulls could be championship contenders in the east.
The Rockets are also interested in making a push, but they have to make moves as well to have any chance at getting Anthony. The team has Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin under contract and as they move into the final years of their deals, the Rockets will have to trade at least one of them for the cap space to sign Anthony. James Harden and Dwight Howard with Anthony is another Big 3 he could form and Anthony really has to decide what he wants next season, as the Knicks can offer him money but not winning right now without major trades.
