The Chicago Bulls are tired of disappointment. The past two years the team's seasons have ended sooner than expected. With Derrick Rose reportedly healthy and ready to play again, Chicago is targeting big moves this offseason to establish a roster ready to contend in the Eastern Conference. The team is eyeing the biggest stars including a trade for Kevin Love and LeBron James, but it is Carmelo Anthony that has head coach Tom Thibodeau most excited.
The New York Knicks guard has officially opted out of his contract with the team in order to become a free agent on July 1. Anthony could certainly re-sign with the Knicks, but it appears that he is looking elsewhere. According to ESPN.com, Anthony is prepared to take meetings from the Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls. Thibodeau is hoping he likes the Bulls.
Marc Berman of the New York Daily News is reporting that Thibodeau prefers Anthony to any other free agent, convinced he is the final piece to the roster puzzle. Anthony's college coach Jim Boeheim recently spoke on his former player's future and believes the Bulls are the best option for the guard to win an NBA championship.
"I've talked to Tom about Melo, his name has come up,'' Boeheim said, via the New York Post. "I think Tom is very excited about the possibility of getting Carmelo. He likes him. He likes how he plays. He feels he's coachable. I think Tom Thibodeau is one of the better coaches in the NBA. Carmelo would be happy playing for him. It would be a good fit - the coach-player relationship. I talked to some of his guys, spent time with him in the past about it. Everybody has to understand with LeBron opting out [Tuesday], these guys are business guys."
Anthony wants a championship and only intends on playing on a roster that is ready to complete that goal. Chicago could certainly be that team. They have the established coaching staff. They have the defense in Joakim Noah. They have a second scoring threat in Rose and a quality bench with players like Taj Gibson. Boeheim simply does not see the Knicks being able to compete with a roster like Chicago has.
"With the Knicks, how long does it take?'' Boeheim said. "Melo has three, four prime years left. If something didn't happen this year, next year for some reason they don't get a couple of quality guys, now what do you do? It's tough figuring out what to do. It's not easy for him.''
