A delegation from the New York Knicks met with him at the end of his meetings in order to get the last word. Or was it what it appeared? A desperate act to try to change Melo's mind.
Melo is the kind of talent that, in the new NBA, can exert his will and fashion the league to look how he wants it to look. While ugly, Melo got out of Denver to get his preferred team, the New York Knicks, just as he wanted. However, just as Lebron learned from the folly of his youth, his hated "Decision" ESPN special, to do things differently this time, it follows that Carmelo may be working things out differently this time.
Rumors have emerged that point to the inclusion of the Los Angeles Lakers as a potential destination due to them being able to offer a max deal as leverage to ultimately getting Carmelo Anthony to the Chicago Bulls in a sign and trade from the Knicks.
Phil Jackson and the Knicks have repeatedly said that they will not do a sign and trade-- that they would prefer to call Melo's bluff and have him leave town by choosing either money or winning.
Melo is ingeniously trying to orchestrate getting BOTH.
The sign and trade would involve the Lakers taking the expiring contract of Carlos Boozer ($16.8M), the Knicks would get Pau Gasol (to help establish the Triangle offense with Derek Fisher) and assets, with Carmelo Anthony ending up in Chicago with a near max or max deal.
Chicago will most likely take on some of New York's undesirable contracts and be pushed into the luxury tax to help persuade the Knicks.
Los Angeles gets a player in Boozer that puts up similar numbers to Gasol at a reduced price and on an expiring contract that may be used in a deal to acquire Kevin Love.
While nothing has been confirmed, Carmelo Anthony is reportedly meeting with two law firms in Chicago on Monday.
Melo has said that he would announce his decision by the end of the weekend holiday as NBA fans in several cities wait with bated breath as it will change the face and history of the NBA for years to come.
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