Carmelo Anthony is perhaps the biggest name in the 2014 NBA Free agency who wants out from his current team. He has been in the center of trade rumors and discussions for quite some time now after the New York Knicks failed to make the playoffs--much to Anthony's dismay. And as much as Melo wants to stay in the Big Apple, he will have plenty of suitors which he will gladly entertain come free agency time this summer.
The fact of the matter is, Carmelo Anthony has been willing to test the free-agency market with the hopes of acquiring a large contract from a potential contender. Carmelo is already 30 years old and if he wants to get that elusive NBA title, he needs to do it now while he is at the prime of his career and sadly New York does not have the roster and championship culture--at the moment--to carry him to the top.
Here are our 2014 NBA Free Agency predictions for Carmelo Anthony once he decides to opt out with New York:
Chicago Bulls
According to sources with direct knowledge of Anthony's plan, the Chicago Bulls and the Houston Rockets are on top of his list of possible candidates. If the Bulls will make the move on amnestying Carlos Boozer, they will be able to shed enough cap room to make a an attractive offer for the Knicks star.
Bringing in Anthony will give the Bulls a formidable Big Three of their own in Joakim Noah, Derrick Rose and Anthony. The signing also makes sense for both teams as the Bulls lack a versatile offensive weapon in the wing position to carry them to the top while Anthony will be looking for a team that will significantly lessen his load in every game.
Houston Rockets
While the Bulls may have a better path on clearing the necessary salary-cap space to add Anthony to their roster, the Rockets are confident that they can clear the contracts that would make it possible for a third near-max deal offer to Anthony alongside Dwight Howard and James Harden, according to sources close to the situation.
This would mean shedding the contracts of Omer Asik and Jerimy Lim which the Rockets are more than willing to do to bring in a super star like Carmelo Anthony. If Anthony lands in Houston, the Rockets will have a formidable Big Three of their own in too in Howard, Harden, and Anthony.
Dallas Mavericks
The Bulls and the Rockets may be on the top of Anthony's list but the Mavericks do not have the salary-cap space problems that the two teams will have to deal with in signing Anthony. Nowitzki has also made it clear in the past that he would be more than willing to take a pay-cut if it means bringing in another player to Dallas that would help them in their quest for another championship.
But how does the Mavericks Super Star feel about Anthony going to Dallas?
"If Carmelo would really love to come here, we'd love to have him," Nowitzki said Sunday in an interview on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. Dallas also gave San Antonio quite a scare this playoffs and have been the only team to take the recently crowned champs to Game 7. If Anthony thinks that he is the only missing piece to take the Mavericks to the top, then its possible that he will sign with Dirk and Monta in Big-D.
Miami Heat
I don't know if its even possible to create a Big Four in south beach but all these rumors about the Miami Heat exploring every possible option to bring in Anthony is worth a closer look. If the Heat will make a qualifying offer to Anthony, two of the Big Three will have to exercise their early-termination options to create room for the Knicks star.
But even with such a move, Anthony will have to be willing to take a huge pay cut for the price of an almost guaranteed trip to the NBA Finals. If Anthony does land in Miami, then it will be clear that it is an NBA title that he wants more than money and fame.
So what do you think? Where do you think will Carmelo Anthony land this coming free agency and why?
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