Kevin Love is a game-changing player that the Chicago Bulls have been targeting, but in addition to that, it may be the missing chip to closing the deal with Carmelo Anthony.
Why?
Reportedly, if all things were equal between his three most preferred destinations (New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago), Carmelo would elect to go to Chicago. But there is the small matter of $50M that supposedly separates the deals that New York is offering vs. the deal that Chicago is able to offer.
While that is only the case if Chicago were to sign Carmelo Anthony outright with straight cap space, but that is not the only way to get Melo to Chicago.
Phil Jackson has already flipped on one of his hard sells to Melo: his initial request that Melo take a pay cut. Jackson, after Carmelo heard the pitches from Chicago, Houston, Dallas, and Los Angeles, flew out to offer Melo a max contract in an act of sheer desperation.
As such, there is absolutely nothing to stop Phil Jackson from flipping on his refusal to take Carlos Boozer's expiring deal and draft picks in order to get something for Carmelo Anthony rather than letting him leave town for nothing. (Even Dan Gilbert agreed to a sign and trade when Lebron "took his talents to South Beach" rather than let him leave town for nothing. It's just sound business.)
If Carmelo were to commit to coming to Chicago, then the sign and trade would be an automatic.
But in case Carmelo has been not entirely truthful about his interest in Chicago, or if he has been holding out to play second fiddle to Lebron in South Beach, locking up a deal for Kevin Love would accomplish two important things:
- Securing a deal for Kevin Love would be hedge against Carmelo not coming to Chicago. And...
- It would help make the case that the Knicks will not be better in one year's time.
By locking up a deal for Kevin Love, the Chicago Bulls will not end up in the same situtation as 2010, when there was pressure to get some consolation prize in the Summer of Lebron, signing Carlos Boozer as a result.
This summer's consolation prizes include Luol Deng and Lance Stephenson...
Secondly, by acquiring and signing Love to a long term deal, the Chicago Bulls would know that one of the biggest targets of 2015 NBA Free Agency would not be there for the New York Knicks. In addition, LaMarcus Aldridge and Kyrie Irving are two other desirable targets no longer in play for the Knicks in the Summer of 2015.
Without top tier free agent targets, Carmelo can't expect the Knicks to improve despite having cap space available, and in less than a year, Melo may be traded as part of an effort to rebuild in New York, except Melo may not have a say about where he goes because he has already resigned with the Knicks for the max.
And by the way, getting a deal done for Love also keeps him from going to the Cavaliers.
Carmelo's best option is to come to the Chicago Bulls. If you BULL-ieve, please leave a comment below! Thanks BullsNation!
