The Chicago Bulls are in on the Kevin Love trade rumors and they also are looking to sign Carmelo Anthony in free agency and that means trade talks and names like Carlos Boozer, Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler are the top pieces for the team to move to create a big 3 with Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah and things could center around what Melo decides to do with the Knicks when July 1 hits.
The Bulls are coming into the offseason after dealing with two years of injuries to Derrick Rose and now they have the chance to bounce back. The team wants to sign Anthony or trade for Kevin Love and they have the pieces to make that move, but it may depend on the Timberwolves and what they are looking for, whether it's draft picks or players. According to ESPN.com, the Bulls have a realistic chance on Love, as they have Boozer and both Butler and Taj Gibson and if that doesn't work out, they may just try and clear space for Anthony.
The Knicks are hoping to bring back Anthony on a contract and it will be tough to get it done, as he is being chased by the Bulls, Mavericks, Houston Rockets and now the Miami heat as well. ESPN.com reports that Miami has had internal discussions about going after Anthony if he opts out this summer and that could make a Big 4 with LeBron James down in South Beach. While that is very unlikely because of all that needs to happen, Miami has shown they are willing to think outside the box when it comes to building a team and James has said that he is intrigued by the idea of playing with his longtime friend in Anthony. Getting Melo would give the team four of the top 15 players in the league and that would be a tough team to stop come next year.
The Bulls are going to have to make a move with Carlos Boozer no matter what happens, as he is making over $16 million and the way he played last year does not justify that salary. The team will either trade him or use the amnesty clause on him and that is due to the fact that they need relief to get Melo or to get Love to sign an extension. Love averaged 26.1 points and 12.5 rebounds last season and factored into the MVP voting and now he would like to test the market after not making the playoffs in each of his first six seasons.
The Boston Celtics are also in the market for Love and they have first round picks along with players like Jeff Green that they can trade. The Bulls surely will make a move on Boozer and that could enable them to sign more players, as he was not a fourth quarter player last season and is just making too much money to stay on.
