The Chicago Bulls are coming into the offseason with some major moves to make and they have Carmelo Anthony as their main target over the Kevin Love trade after he opted out of his Knicks contract and that makes the amnesty of Carlos Boozer or a trade a priority since they need the cap space to sign him.
According to ESPN.com, Anthony has opted out of his contract with the Knicks and that the Bulls are the number one option for him. The report says that the team is doing their work on Anthony and that right now Chicago has a lead over New York as his first choice. Anthony has been with the Knicks since the team acquired him a few years ago and the franchise has brought in Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher to help turn things around. The Bulls lost in the first round of the playoffs and the Knicks did not make it last season after opening the year 3-13 and that could be a factor in all of this as well.
The Bulls see Anthony as the missing piece to a championship puzzle, as he is a scorer and they ranked last in scoring last season. The team has a short window with Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose in their prime years and adding Anthony could make the team a favorite. Anthony has been one of the best scorers in the league during his career and now he has the chance to move on if he wants to, while many are hoping he stays in New York. Jackson has met with Anthony multiple times and NY can give him the longest contract and the highest amount of money.
Anthony has praised Tom Thibodeau in the past and Noah has been working on recruiting him and if they clear enough space, Anthony could sign. James is likely staying with the Heat, but the Knicks, Rockets and Bulls all will go after him and while Miami looks to be the likely option, anything can happen. The Bulls see Rose as the key and if he can come back healthy the team can make a big run in the playoffs. The Bulls are looking to get back to the finals for the first time since Jordan and both Melo and LeBron could see that as a challenge to take on.
The Bulls would love to get LeBron James or Anthony, as they ranked first in defense last season and 30th in points scored and they feel both have an opening. James just lost the finals and Anthony is coming off of a year with the Knicks when they were terrible and both could be vulnerable enough to leave. The Bulls are looking to make some major moves and the Knicks are not just going to let Anthony go and they have the full court press on him. Anthony has the chance to sign the longest and most expensive deal in NY, but he wants to win championships and that could be his major priority in free agency, which he is entering for the first time in his career.
