SBNation.com - Carmelo Anthony re-signs with New York Knickshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46737/sbn-fave.png2014-07-13T13:01:38-04:00http://www.sbnation.com/rss/stream/56286582014-07-13T13:01:38-04:002014-07-13T13:01:38-04:00Carmelo Anthony officially announces his return
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<p>The second NBA superstar announcement of the week came via Melo's personal website.</p> <p>Carmelo didn't don an all-black suit and dial up the word count with the help of Lee Jenkins, but he also announced his final free agency decision via website. Melo's announcement came <a href="http://www.thisismelo.com/" target="_blank">via his personal website</a> rather than Sports Illustrated, but it was no less heartfelt than LeBron's big news:</p>
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<p>Pretty cool. After all the flirtation, Melo returns to New York even after a down season.</p>
<p>Of course, a max (or near-max contract) doesn't hurt either:</p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2014/7/13/5895585/carmelo-anthony-announces-decision-knicksSeth Rosenthal2014-07-12T14:50:27-04:002014-07-12T14:50:27-04:00Carmelo couldn't win
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<p>The 30-year-old superstar had to choose between financial security and contention, but he's subject to criticism either way even though neither choice was ideal.</p> <p>There were moments last season when it seemed like <span>Carmelo Anthony</span> might crack. No one would have blamed him.</p>
<p>A year ago at this time, Anthony had been to the playoffs every season of his career. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">Knicks</a> were coming off a 54-win campaign in which Anthony led the league in scoring, <span>J.R. Smith</span> won Sixth Man of the Year and <span>Tyson Chandler</span> finally started to shore up a leaky defense. Melo shined while regularly instilled at power forward for the very first time. Even if the Knicks weren't a title contender, they were entertaining. From a distance, it even looked like they were having fun.</p>
<p>It's hard to believe that was only two years ago after the nightmare season the Knicks just endured, one that spiraled out of control before it ever really started. Chandler broke his leg in the fourth game of the season and suddenly the Knicks were 3-13. Every loss felt like a referendum on Anthony's impending free agency, which slowly started to become more meaningful than the actual season. The Knicks were an ongoing plane crash and Melo was the only one with a parachute strapped to his back.</p>
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<p>Anthony could have jumped to safety in Chicago, but he chose not to. He'll spend the last remaining years of his prime in New York hoping <span>Phil Jackson</span> can figure out how to overhaul the roster while he's still at the top of his game. Anthony reportedly believes in Jackson's vision for the franchise, and he might as well. It's always possible for Anthony to request a trade should things continue to spiral out of control.</p>
<p>There's a more convenient way to frame Melo's decision, though, one that's less flattering to all involved parties: Anthony's commitment to the Knicks ultimately seems like it was about choosing money over winning.</p>
<p>A backlash was unavoidable, especially after Jackson made it known early in the process he ideally wanted Anthony to accept less money. For as bummed as <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Bulls</a> fans are to miss out on Anthony, many New Yorkers don't seem thrilled to see Melo getting max money, either. It's a good reminder that when a star player finds himself in Anthony's position in free agency, it's traditionally a lose-lose situation.</p>
<p>Four years ago, <span>LeBron James</span> and Chris Bosh were blasted for taking less money to go to a better team in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat</a>. Even after four straight trips to the Finals, James is still seen as unlikable to a large portion of the country. Melo chose to do what James didn't: showing loyalty to his existing flawed team unlikely to win anything significant without major changes. And yet, he still doesn't have anything close to unanimous support for the decision.</p>
<div class="pullquote">For as bummed as Bulls fans are to miss out on Anthony, many New Yorkers don't seem thrilled to see Melo getting max money, either.</div>
<p>The truth is that the Knicks have bent over backwards for Anthony ever since he came to New York. They agreed to trade for him in 2011 instead of signing him in free agency the following summer so he could get more money under the previous CBA. They ditched cult hero <span>Jeremy Lin</span> in part because he didn't mesh with Melo. Leaving max money on the table to leave the Knicks would have been ruthless in its own way, but no one wants to consider that angle. Instead, a common criticism will likely be that Melo cares more about his bank statement than his team's place in the standings.</p>
<p>The pejorative statement does have <i>some</i> elements of truth. The $129 million the Knicks were offering was nearly $60 million more than what Chicago could have given Anthony without a sign-and-trade. Even if the Bulls were able to coerce Jackson into a sign-and-trade, Anthony couldn't have gotten a fifth year guaranteed on his deal, one that will pay him around $30 million when he's 35 years old. It's an incredible amount of money to walk away from any way you slice it, even for someone who has earned about $135 million in his career.</p>
<p>And barring a major coup by Phil Jackson, the Knicks are going to be a bad team again next season, especially now that Chandler is in Dallas. If there's hope, it comes in the summer of 2015, when New York will be armed with a ton of cap space. But it's no surer bet than what the Knicks made in 2010, and the pool of players to choose from isn't particularly inspiring. <span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> is already on record saying he wants to finish his career in Portland. Marc Gasol, <span>Rajon Rondo</span> and <span>Paul Millsap</span> are nice players, but they won't make the Knicks one of the league's best teams unless there's some major internal development. <span>Kevin Love</span> is probably getting traded before then, and even if he gets free, he'd surely prefer the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Lakers</a>.</p>
<p>You can't begrudge Melo for taking the money. <span>Allen Iverson</span> and <span>Antoine Walker</span> serve as cautionary tales for why even men as rich as Anthony still need to think about maximizing their worth monetarily. But o<span>n the flip side, this might have been Carmelo's last chance to maximize his worth as a basketball player. Chicago was the perfect opportunity to do just that.</span></p>
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<p>The Bulls have a rich history of missing on superstars in free agency or on the trade market, so the sting of Melo choosing New York is a familiar one. It doesn't make it any easier to stomach for Chicago, though. Anthony was the perfect fit for a team that had the NBA's third-worst offense last season, one that scored only 69 points in its final playoff loss. The Bulls had the infrastructure to accentuate Anthony's strengths while masking his deficiencies. From the perspective of both the player and the team, it seemed like an ideal marriage.</p>
<p>Yet Anthony would have been forced to take a major financial sacrifice and move to an unfamiliar location to do so. The choice wasn't easy.</p>
<p>Free agency is typically the most refreshing time of a player's career, a week or two when other teams get to tell him how great he is and when massive amounts of money are put on the table to choose from. For Anthony, though, the entire situation just feels sad.</p>
<p>It's sad because the sand in the hour glass of his career is dropping to the bottom while he's willingly surrounding himself with poor teammates on a historically incompetent franchise. It's sad because the Bulls may have re-energized his prime by pairing him with <span>Tom Thibodeau</span>, <span>Joakim Noah</span> and a finally healthy Derrick Rose. It's sad because many Knicks fans aren't particularly happy to have him around making as much money as he will. It's sad because even despite that, there were sacrifices Anthony had to make to end up in Chicago.</p>
<p>At a fundamental level, free agency is supposed to be a celebration of a great talent. Anthony will remain just that, but there will always be question marks that come with his career. He's never been in a great situation before, and Chicago potentially offered him the chance to be in one. But the money just didn't work and Anthony can only arrive there by forcing his way with a trade down the road.</p>
<p>Instead, he'll cash checks and put up huge numbers for a team that won't immediately be able to help him and for a fanbase that is lukewarm on him being there. It was Melo's choice all along, but it was one he couldn't have won either way.</p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/7/12/5886073/carmelo-anthony-knicks-signs-bulls-nba-free-agencyRicky O'Donnell2014-07-12T14:27:42-04:002014-07-12T14:27:42-04:00Carmelo is a Knick again
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<figcaption>Christian Petersen</figcaption>
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<p>The All-Star won't be changing teams after testing the free agent market.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/videos/2014/7/12/5893679/carmelo-anthony-new-york-knicks-contractDan Rubenstein2014-07-12T13:00:38-04:002014-07-12T13:00:38-04:00Carmelo signs with Knicks for $124 million
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<figcaption>Al Bello</figcaption>
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<p>The former scoring champion has decided to return to the Big Apple for $124 million with an early termination option.</p> <p><b>UPDATE [July 15]</b>: Anthony's deal with worth a reported $124 million dollars, just slightly less than the maximum of $129 million, and starts at $22.5 million in the coming season, per a tweet from ESPN New York's Ian Begley. The deal also includes a no trade clause for Anthony.</p>
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<p>Sources: Carmelo Anthony's contract w/<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Knicks?src=hash">#Knicks</a> is for $124 million over 5 years. Starts at $22.5 million. Early termination option in Year 5.</p>
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) <a href="https://twitter.com/IanBegley/statuses/489194695919038464">July 15, 2014</a>
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<p><b>UPDATE [July 13]</b>: Carmelo Anthony <a href="http://www.thisismelo.com/" target="_blank">officially announced</a> that he is returning to the Knicks on Sunday:</p>
<p><i>A few years ago I dreamed of coming back to New York City, the place of my birth, and on February 23, 2011 that became a reality. This organization has supported me and in return, I want to stay and build here with this city and my team. At this pivotal juncture in my career, I owed it to myself and my family to explore all of the options available to me. Through it all, my heart never wavered.<br><br>During this journey I met with some quality organizations who have amazing talent and leadership. I thank them for their consideration, belief in my talent, and opportunity to imagine the possibilities.<br><br>I will always remember this chapter in my life. In the end, I am a New York Knick at heart. I am looking forward to continue my career in Orange & Blue and to work with Phil Jackson, a champion who builds championship teams. Madison Square Garden is the mecca of basketball and I am surrounded by the greatest fans in the world.</i></p>
<p><span>Carmelo Anthony</span> has decided to re-up with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">New York Knicks</a>, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--carmelo-anthony-returning-to-knicks-175747449.html">according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports</a>. The deal is reportedly worth over $120 million.</p>
<p>Anthony came to his decision after visiting the <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Lakers</a>, <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Bulls</a>, Knicks, <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Rockets</a> and <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a>. His free-agency tour was well-chronicled as <span>Derrick Rose</span> <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.sbnation.com/2014/7/1/5863262/carmelo-anthonys-chicago-visit-included-a-derrick-rose-workout/in/5628658" target="_blank">reportedly worked out</a> for Anthony in Chicago, and Houston <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/7/2/5865823/houston-rockets-jeremy-lin-jersey-carmelo-anthony-nba-free-agency/in/5628658" target="_blank">photoshopped Jeremy Lin's jersey</a> onto a photo of Anthony.</p>
<p>The decision took some time, with Anthony's decision <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/7/8/5880307/carmelo-anthony-lebron-james-chris-bosh-knicks-heat-rockets-lakers" target="_blank">reportedly</a> hinging on <span>LeBron James</span>' own free agency quandary. Anthony was also heavily considering the Bulls, including a late <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/7/10/5889197/carmelo-anthony-new-york-knicks-second-thoughts-chicago-bulls" target="_blank">change of heart</a> that had him thinking about ditching the Big Apple in favor of the Windy City as late as Thursday.</p>
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<p>Anthony has been a polarizing figure over the course of his career. His scoring talent is unquestioned, and he had one of his better years in the midst of a disastrous season for New York. Anthony averaged 27.4 points and a career-high 8.1 rebounds in 2013-14, and he shot 40.2 percent from long range. The 30-year-old has mostly played as a 3 in his career, but over the past few years, he has shown the ability to be an effective power forward.</p>
<p>Despite his scoring prowess, critics have been quick to point out Anthony's tendencies to rely upon isolation plays and his poor defense. Moreover, he's been knocked for his inability to lead teams deep into the postseason.</p>
<p>Anthony returns to a Knicks team that has a lot of work to do before becoming a contender. New York should have a good amount of cap space next summer when Amar'e Stoudemire and <span>Andrea Bargnani</span> come off the books.</p>
<p>A lot of the Knicks' future depends on whether they want to play Anthony at the power forward, where he's had some success in the past few years. <span>Tyson Chandler's</span> defensive ability at center previously was what allowed New York to give him so much play in the frontcourt, but now that Chandler has been traded to Dallas, it's uncertain what the Knicks' plans are down the lines that might give them the ability to keep running that lineup.</p>
<p>Regardless, Anthony's natural talents give New York one of the most versatile scoring threats in recent memory. His balance, footwork and superb timing make for a great midrange game, and his shooting range extends that to beyond the arc. With good size for a forward, Anthony can play either small forward or power forward, and his nimble feet make up for what he loses in size as a power forward.</p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/7/12/5888857/carmelo-anthony-sign-new-york-knicks-contract-2014Dane Delgado2014-07-11T14:13:48-04:002014-07-11T14:13:48-04:00Anthony down to Knicks and Bulls with Lakers out
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<figcaption>Christian Petersen</figcaption>
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<p>Carmelo Anthony isn't ready to make his free agent decision, but has narrowed his choices to two teams.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Lakers</a> are no longer in the running to sign free agent <span>Carmelo Anthony</span> with the star forward narrowing his options to the <a href="https://www.blogabull.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Bulls</a> and <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Knicks</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/487653777718382592">according to ESPN</a>. A return to New York was thought to be the likely outcome for much of his free agency tour, but the Bulls emerged as a strong contender recently.</p>
<p align="left">On Wednesday,<a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/7/9/5885121/carmelo-anthony-knicks-rumors-contract-nba-free-agency/in/5628658"> Frank Isola of the New York Daily News</a> reported Anthony had made a decision and was expected to announce a return to the Knicks on Thursday, barring a last-minute change of heart. Knicks president <span>Phil Jackson</span> said he thought a decision would come soon and thought the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/7/10/5888523/carmelo-anthony-contract-knicks-2014-nba-free-agency/in/5628658">outcome would be "positive" for the Knicks</a>. Thursday came and went without a decision, however, and reports began to surface that Anthony <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/7/10/5889197/carmelo-anthony-new-york-knicks-second-thoughts-chicago-bulls/in/5628658">regained interest in signing with Chicago.</a></p>
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<p>The Lakers' position in the race bounced around quite a bit. They were thought to be a longshot early on and were the last team Anthony visited on his free agent tour. They started to gain some traction in the race and were reportedly one of three finalists <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2014/7/7/5878131/carmelo-anthony-free-agent-rumors-lakers-bulls-knicks/in/5628658" target="_blank">along with Chicago and New York</a>. That has since changed again with Stephen A. Smith of ESPN reporting the Lakers are no longer a consideration for Anthony.</p>
<p>While Anthony may have been leaning toward returning to the Knicks, it appears to be a legitimate two-team race now. With LeBron James heading to Cleveland, the Eastern Conference is wide open. Anthony could make the most money in New York and has reportedly bought into Jackson's plan to rebuild the team. The Knicks are still further away from contention and Anthony could join an instant championship contender in Chicago. Pairing him with a healthy <span>Derrick Rose</span>, <span>Joakim Noah</span>, <span>Taj Gibson</span> and the other pieces in place might make the Bulls the No. 1 contender to come out of the Eastern Conference.</p>
<p>Regardless of where he signs, it doesn't sound like a decision will come before the weekend with Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/7/11/5891183/carmelo-anthonys-decision-wont-come-friday-according-to-report/in/5628658">reporting Anthony won't decide today</a>.</p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/7/11/5891299/carmelo-anthony-free-agency-2014-bulls-knicks-lakersMark Sandritter2014-07-11T14:01:34-04:002014-07-11T14:01:34-04:00Carmelo's decision still on ice
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<p>The New York Knicks free agent is torn between joining the Chicago Bulls to make an instant contender or returning to the Big Apple.</p> <p>As LeBron James' announcement that he'd return to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> went public, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">New York Knicks</a> free agent <span>Carmelo Anthony</span> continued to wrestle with his own big decision. <a href="https://twitter.com/SpearsNBAYahoo/status/487643104699101185" target="_blank">Yahoo! Sports' Marc J. Spears</a> reports that Anthony won't decide by the end of Friday whether to return to New York or join the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Chicago Bulls</a>.</p>
<p>On Thursday night, it became clear that <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/7/10/5889197/carmelo-anthony-new-york-knicks-second-thoughts-chicago-bulls" target="_blank">Anthony was having second thoughts</a>. He seemed ready to return to New York, putting all his trust in newly-hired president <span>Phil Jackson</span>.</p>
<p>Now the Eastern Conference looks like a wide open race with the Big Three of Miami dispersing, and it's possible the draw for Anthony to join the Bulls is even stronger.</p>
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<p>Anthony joining a Bulls team with a healthy <span>Derrick Rose</span> and <span>Joakim Noah</span> would certainly put them atop the conference with perhaps only the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.indycornrows.com/">Indiana Pacers</a> to challenge them. Indeed, James heading home makes the Cavs a threat, but with a new general manager and coach, plus a roster of untested youngsters, it remains to be seen if they're ready to chase down the battle-tested Pacers -- or even a healthy Bulls team without Anthony.</p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/7/11/5891183/carmelo-anthonys-decision-wont-come-friday-according-to-reportKevin Zimmerman2014-07-10T21:00:12-04:002014-07-10T21:00:12-04:00The Bulls are still alive for Melo
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<p>Could New York's star free agent be reconsidering staying in New York? A report suggests that he's regained interest in signing with the Bulls.</p> <p><span>Carmelo Anthony</span> is considering leaving the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">New York Knicks</a> and heading to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Chicago Bulls</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=11199722">according to a report</a> from ESPN's Stephen A. Smith. On ESPN Chicago 1000 with Carmen and Jurko, Smith laid out new information about Anthony's possible departure.</p>
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<p>Yesterday at approximately after 5 p.m., the day after I was on ESPN Chicago, and I got a call. 'Look something has come up. Something is in the mix. Melo is having second thoughts, and this is what it is. CHICAGO. Suddenly Chicago is on his mind.' And this is someone who is incredibly close to Carmelo Anthony who I completely trust as a source. Couldn't explain why. But just said Chicago is not out of the mix. Believe what you want. Melo is chilling at home with his wife, his family and he's talking about the Chicago Bulls.</p>
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<p>The report was confirmed by Mike McGraw of the Arlington Daily Herald and Ken Berger of CBS.</p>
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<p>Hearing the Stephen A. Smith report is accurate. Carmelo may have been leaning elsewhere, but regained interest in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bulls?src=hash">#Bulls</a>.</p>
— Mike McGraw (@McGrawDHBulls) <a href="https://twitter.com/McGrawDHBulls/statuses/487388756253478913">July 11, 2014</a>
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<p>The Bulls are still under consideration for Carmelo Anthony, a person familiar with his thinking tells <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSports">@CBSSports</a>.</p>
— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) <a href="https://twitter.com/KBergCBS/statuses/487404096895209472">July 11, 2014</a>
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<p>Frank Isola of the New York Daily News <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/7/9/5885121/carmelo-anthony-knicks-rumors-contract-nba-free-agency">reported Wednesday</a> that Anthony would choose the Knicks barring a last-minute change of heart. Could that be happening?</p>
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<h4>Why this is a good idea</h4>
<p>Chicago has the obvious pieces and cap mobility to sign Anthony to a significant contract while retaining the services of the best players on the roster in <span>Joakim Noah</span>, <span>Taj Gibson</span>, <span>Jimmy Butler</span> and <span>Derrick Rose</span>.</p>
<p>If the Bulls were able to negotiate a deal that isn't a sign-and-trade for Anthony, the presumed frontcourt of him, Noah and Gibson would quickly jump to top consideration as the best in the Eastern Conference.</p>
<p>Anthony would provide a scoring threat and could avoid taking harsh beatings down low, instead relying on the defensive prowess of his teammates to soak up the punishment. It would be a perfect situation for him, playing for a head coach in <span>Tom Thibodeau</span> with significant playoff experience. If Anthony wants to win now, Chicago would be the best move.</p>
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<h4>Why this is a bad idea</h4>
<p>Money. Anthony stands to make a maximum of $129 million over five years if he signs with the Knicks, where the Bulls can only offer $96 million over four.</p>
<p>At 30, this will likely be Anthony's last gargantuan contract and he should take it for all it's worth. New York has a new head coach in <span>Derek Fisher</span> and with <span>Phil Jackson</span> at the helm, the organization is at least trying to make enough moves to get Anthony past the first round of the playoffs.</p>
<p>Another factor here is the idea of the sign-and-trade. If Anthony is able to be dealt to Chicago instead of signing with them outright, the Bulls might have to give up some of the pieces that make the Windy City such an attractive offer.</p>
<h4>Likelihood it happens</h4>
<p>It's hard to leave $35 million on the table in any scenario. From a basketball and organizational perspective, Chicago is the best place for Anthony. There will be no qualms about him having to solidify his legacy against Michael Jordan's, and with the core in place they would be contenders out East. Still, it's hard to see him leaving the Knicks with all that cash. I'll give it a <b>3/10 chance</b> of happening.</p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/7/10/5889197/carmelo-anthony-new-york-knicks-second-thoughts-chicago-bullsDane Delgado2014-07-10T18:38:37-04:002014-07-10T18:38:37-04:00The Lakers' pitch to Melo focused on his wife
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<figcaption>Chris Trotman</figcaption>
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<p>Hollywood's in Los Angeles, you know.</p> <p>Carmelo Anthony is a free agent basketball player. La La Anthony is an actress and entrepreneur and overall professional famous person. Los Angeles has pretty good basketball, but it's got REALLY good acting and famous-being opportunities. Lakers legend James Worthy was in the room when his team made their free agent pitch to Carmelo Anthony, and describes a very La La-heavy presentation <a target="_blank" href="http://www.slamonline.com/news-rumors/other-news/james-worthy-lakers-plan-sign-carmelo-anthony-recruit-lala/">in an interview with SLAM</a>:</p>
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<p>"I told Carmelo, I said, I wish your wife were here because she's more popular than you in Los Angeles. We're trying to recruit her, because if you can get LaLa, Carmelo has no say-so. So, we're trying to get her to Hollywood. Hollywood is right here. She can do whatever she wants," Worthy told SLAM.</p>
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<p>I'm sure the Lakers said plenty of other stuff directed at Melo, but I don't see "your spouse is more popular than you in this city" anywhere in my How To Get A Famous Person To Come To Your City handbook. Interesting tactic.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/2014/7/10/5888925/the-lakers-pitch-to-carmelo-anthony-focused-heavily-on-his-wife-la-laSeth Rosenthal