The Bulls are the team most likely to land Carmelo Anthony, a source tells Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv. It’s not entirely clear whether they’re more likely to end up with ‘Melo than the Knicks are, or if they’re the favorite among teams if ‘Melo decides not to remain in New York. The source nonetheless tells Zagoria that Anthony is “looking to leave” if the Knicks can strike a deal with one of the clubs on his wish list. That seems to indicate he’s looking at sign-and-trade scenarios, a path the capped-out Bulls would no doubt explore. Chicago, the Rockets and the Mavs are the teams most recently identified as Anthony’s preferred destinations.
Zagoria’s source reiterated Anthony’s desire to win now, and another recent report suggested that while he’d prefer to stay in New York, he knows his best chance to win is with another team. A dispatch from last week indicated that Anthony was leaning toward leaving the Knicks.
The Bulls are apparently willing to trade everyone except Derrick Rose to upgrade the team this summer, and they seem more focused on Anthony than trade candidate Kevin Love. Chicago would reportedly prefer to trade Carlos Boozer rather than use the amnesty clause to clear his salary, as there are doubts that owner Jerry Reinsdorf would OK an amnesty of Boozer, which would still force Reinsdorf to issue his paychecks, and a maximum contract for Anthony. A sign-and-trade with the Knicks could solve that dilemma.