Stephen A. Smith on ESPN Chicago:

I got a call. ‘Look, something has come up. Something is in the mix. Melo is having second thoughts. I don’t know what’s going on, but this is what it is.’ I said, ‘What are you talking about?’ They said, ‘Chicago.’ Suddenly, Chicago is on the mind. I said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me. You’ve got to be kidding me.’ And this is somebody that is incredibly close to Carmelo Anthony who I completely trust as a source. This is what he was telling me. Couldn’t explain why, but just said, ‘Chicago is not out of the mix.’

‘Melo is sitting at home with his wife and family and talking about the Chicago Bulls.’ This is what they told me.

VDesai wrote:Don't think its true, but give me Nikola Mirotic, Doug McDermott, Tony Snell and Boozer's expiring and 2016 no.1 pick in a sign and trade if you want back in.

I would not make that trade unless it includes all that you've mentioned + Noah, Gibson and 2 more number 1's.

The delay in announcing is definitely a bad thing in terms of Anthony resigning with the Knicks. Makes you realize that the money is not the only thing with Melo.

As Briggs says, Bosh is the key, but how does James' decision impact him?

Bosh goes to Houston, James goes to Miami- does Anthony replace Bosh on Miami?

Bosh to Houston, James to Cleveland- Does Anthony go to Chicago, hoping to get a title while Cleveland becomes battle tested for a year or two, or does he stay with the Knicks, thinking that we can pick up the resources next year to challenge for a title?

Big Three reunited in Miami- Shorter contracts for Bosh and James- Does Anthony stick with the Knicks and trust Phil, or does he throw the dice with Rose and Noah and go to the Bulls believing that Miami is vulnerable and Chicago has enough to get over the hump.

Seems that if Anthony only wants the $$, he stays here, obviously. If he wants to win and come out of the East sooner, rather than later, I can't see how he does not go to the Bulls or Miami (added later).

mreinman wrote:

VDesai wrote:Don't think its true, but give me Nikola Mirotic, Doug McDermott, Tony Snell and Boozer's expiring and 2016 no.1 pick in a sign and trade if you want back in.

I would not make that trade unless it includes all that you've mentioned + Noah, Gibson and 2 more number 1's.

We've heard that Phil doesn't want Boozer, but VDesai's idea would be much more likely. Boozer comes off the books with Amare and Bargs, and who knows, maybe you can dump him before the trade deadline for a some kind of pick.

I would extort some more picks if we took him, which might be possible if the Bulls decide they don't want to use their amnesty provision on him.

WaltLongmire wrote:

mreinman wrote:

VDesai wrote:Don't think its true, but give me Nikola Mirotic, Doug McDermott, Tony Snell and Boozer's expiring and 2016 no.1 pick in a sign and trade if you want back in.

I would not make that trade unless it includes all that you've mentioned + Noah, Gibson and 2 more number 1's.

They would never give up Noah, and I think that Anthony is not only friends with Gibson, but he knows the team is really hurt without his D and intangibles.

We've heard that Phil doesn't want Boozer, but VDesai's idea would be much more likely. Boozer comes off the books with Amare and Bargs, and who knows, maybe you can dump him before the trade deadline for a some kind of pick.

I would extort some more picks if we took him, which might be possible if the Bulls decide they don't want to use their amnesty provision on him.

I think he was being sarcastic; suggesting that VDesai's proposal is too steep a price for the Bulls. I'd disagree to some extent. I doubt they give us the 2016 pick and Snell (who is kinda useless as a player) but we'd be well within our right to request the rest. If they don't grease our hands, we don't take Boozer and if we don't take Boozer, they can't sign Melo.