CHICAGO BULLS OFF-SEASON REPORT: The First 12 Hours of NBA Free Agency, Day 1

It has only been half a day that teams could officially speak to free agents, although there are already  a number of leading indicators about where several top targets might be landing.

Joakim Noah is close to inking a deal with the New York Knicks, reportedly for 4 years, $72M.

Leading them all is the Chicago Bulls' own Joakim Noah. He has been among the top trending topics on Facebook for more than 24 hours now as rumors have him most likely joining former Chicago Bull Derrick Rose in New York. Noah's meeting with the Knicks is scheduled for this after noon, but more information leaked indicating that Joakim Noah may be close to signing a deal worth $72M for 4 years.

The Chicago Bulls have been linked to several younger players, including Dion Waiters. They have not extend any offers yet and will most likely be waiting to get young talent on a bargain contract.

DONE DEALS

Timofey Mozgov will be joining the Los Angeles Lakers on a 4 year, $64M deal. After being a huge factor in helping the Cleveland Cavaliers reach the NBA Finals in 2015 due to his size and ability to protect the rim, the Cavaliers had mostly relegated the 7-1 center to the bench for much of the playoffs and finals.

DeMar DeRozan has reportedly signed a 5-year, $139M deal to return to the Toronto Raptors. After a disappointing exit from the Eastern Conference Finals, DeRozan approached the off-season wanting to lead the Toronto Raptors back. The Raptors' number 1 goal was bringing DeRozan back for another run, and it resulted in being able to complete the deal quickly.

DeMar DeRozan and the Toronto Raptors came together quickly on a 5 year, $139M deal.

Nicolas Batum has reportedly agreed to a 5 year, $120M deal with the Charlotte Hornets.

Hassan Whiteside was given a Max contract, 5 years, $98M, to return to the Miami Heat.

Jeremy Lin and the Brooklyn Nets agreed to a 3 year, $36M deal.

CLOSE TO A DEAL

Bradley Beal is closing in on a 5-year Max deal to stay with the Washington Wizards that would make him $42M more than John Wall over the period of the deal.

Andre Drummond, who is a restricted free agent, is near agreeing to a Max deal with the Detroit Pistons.

OTHER NEWS

Kevin Durant reportedly had a good meeting with the Oklahoma City Thunder; his next stop will be with the Golden State Warriors. The Washington Wizards and the New York Knicks were not granted meetings.

Dwight Howard is reportedly seeking a $24M per year deal.

Chandler Parsons will definitely be leaving the Dallas Mavericks in search of a max contract. The 27- year old swingman was expecting a max offer and felt slighted with the Mavs lower offer.


What deals stand out to you? Which teams are the winners of free agency so far? Which teams are the losers? Tell us in the comments below!

CHICAGO BULLS OFF-SEASON REPORT: Joakim Noah Headed To The New York Knicks When Free Agency Begins Tomorrow

Chicago Bulls' front office had already known for a while that Joakim Noah would not be resigning with the Chicago Bulls.

However, after Derrick Rose was traded to the New York Knicks  a day before the NBA Draft, recent rumors surfaced this week that Derrick Rose was actively recruiting Joakim Noah to his new team.

It seems that his efforts will be successful.

After initially being linked to the Washington Wizards, possibly in an attempt to build a better case for attracting Kevin Durant to Washington, the 2014 NBA Defensive Player of the Year is now strongly rumored to be signing with the New York Knicks when NBA Free Agency opens tomorrow.

BITTERSWEET to finally see the Big Three of Carmelo Anthony, Joakim Noah, and Derrick Rose challenge Lebron and the Cleveland Cavaliers. It just won't be in Chicago.

The move will put together the rumored 2014 Chicago Bulls Big Three in New York, joining Joakim Noah, Derrick Rose, and Carmelo Anthony.

The Chicago Bulls, after completing a disappointing 2015-16 season where they missed the playoffs under new head coach Fred Hoiberg and badly missed preseason expectations of challenging the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference, have been forced into rebuilding due to the imminent departures of Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol in free agency.

Both All-Star big men want to play for a contender, and they believed their best option was to leave.

This plunged the Bulls into a "restructuring" effort that began with sending Derrick Rose to the New York Knicks last week, and the Chicago Bulls have reportedly had advanced discussions about dealing Taj Gibson, as well as, Jimmy Butler.

It is bittersweet, especially the off-season after watching the Cleveland Cavaliers win the NBA Championship, to finally see the Chicago Bulls Big Three of 2014, Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, and Carmelo Anthony, come together to challenge Lebron James and the Cavs in the Eastern Conference. However, to watch them come together on the New York Knicks with all three players two years older feels like a great injustice to the fans in Chicago.

I, for one, will welcome any team that will meaningfully challenge the Cavaliers in the East, and I will probably root for Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose, the hometown kid, if he wins a ring. He gave the Chicago Bulls many great moments, one incredible season, and the chance to dream of NBA Championships.

What do you think about Joakim Noah joining Derrick Rose and Carmelo Anthony on the New York Knicks in free agency? How will they fair against the Cleveland Cavaliers? Tell us what you think in the comments below!

CHICAGO BULLS OFF-SEASON REPORT: Boston Celtics Package for Jimmy Butler Might Be Better Than Andrew Wiggins, Kris Dunn

The Chicago Bulls had a pretty nice draft night last week just by picking up Michigan State SG/SF Denzel Valentine with their #14 Overall Pick. He will surprise a lot of people, and he is multidimensional enough to push Brandon Ingram and #1 Overall Pick Ben Simmons for Rookie of the Year (you heard it here first!).

But all the buzz around the Chicago Bulls' draft night has been about the deal that didn't go down.

The right deal for Jimmy Butler will help the Chicago Bulls rebuild quickly into a contender in the East. 

After dealing Derrick Rose to the New York Knicks for Calderon, Lopez, and Jerian Grant, it would only make sense that Jimmy Butler would be on the move so that the Chicago Bulls could go into full tank and rebuild mode.

And there is no better season to challenge the Philadelphia 76ers for the hardest tankers this season, because the 2017 NBA Draft could potentially be one of the greatest drafts IN HISTORY.

Not only should the Chicago Bulls be trading away players that might appeal to teams ready to win now, but they should be going for the worst record this season, stockpiling draft picks, and getting the players that represent the future of the team the playing time and experience that they need.

So when a draft night deal didn't go down, all the talk was about who wasn't ready to make a deal between the Chicago Bulls and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are still rumored to be holding Andrew Wiggins out of the deal.

But is it because there a better deal to be made?

The Boston Celtics were shopping around their substantial assets in order to lure an established star to the Boston in order to make a stronger pitch to pending unrestricted free agent Kevin Durant.

Jimmy Butler, being one of the few stars potentially available for the right offer, was allegedly commanding a package of Jae Crowder and two of Boston's four first round draft picks (#3 and #16). These picks turned into Jaylen Brown (SF, Cal) and Guerschon Yabusele (PF, France).

Not bad. But certainly less sexy than adding Andrew Wiggins to your roster.

But one of the Celtics' assets is the right to switch draft picks with the Brooklyn Nets in next year's loaded 2017 NBA Draft.

Josh Jackson is one of potentially franchise-changing prizes of the 2017 NBA Draft.

And with Brooklyn's historic ineptitude, that pick could be a top 3 pick and yield a player potentially BETTER than Andrew Wiggins.

So if the Boston Celtics were to make a strong run at the Chicago Bulls with a package centered around Jae Crowder, another young player, and their 2017 NBA Draft Pick swap, they may be able to outmanouver the Minnesota Timberwolves for Jimmy Butler before the free agent signing period begins July 1st.

This is, of course, when the Kevin Durant sweepstakes begins, and if the Boston Celtics can pitch KD on joining a Celtics squad boasting two All-Star teammates, it may be a VERY tempting pitch.

Meanwhile, it seems that the Minnesota Timberwolves, with young assets that "are in their control", namely Andrew Wiggins and Kris Dunn, would have the more enticing package because it offers the Chicago Bulls front office the certainty of what the asset is.

With the Boston draft pick, the potential prize could be absolutely a generational player, but it is really an unknown quantity that will be the centerpiece of the trade.

But is the incredible upside worth the huge gamble for the Chicago Bulls? Would it be worth giving up a deal for Andrew Wiggins?

Let us know what you would do: do you take the Boston Celtics deal before July 1st? Or do you pass on that to get Andrew Wiggins from the Minnesota Timberwolves?

CHICAGO BULLS OFF-SEASON REPORT: Chicago Bulls Draft MSU's Valentine at #14, Zipser at #48

After the announcement two nights ago that Derrick Rose had been traded to the New York Knicks, this Draft Night was looking as if there might be another trade looming that would plunge the Chicago Bulls headlong into a full on rebuilding process.

However, the trade that we were hearing might come has yet to manifest. But it appears to be an eventuality.

It appears even more certain after Minnesota were the fortunate recipients of Providence point guard Kris Dunn falling to the #5 Pick. Dunn was the player the Chicago Bulls were coveting with the #5 Pick had a deal been made for Jimmy Butler.

No, there was no Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves trade announced at the 2016 NBA Draft last night, but many seem convinced that Tom Thibodeau will get his man.

So, in lieu of the Chicago Bulls making a deal, the Bulls drafted Michigan State guard/ forward Denzel Valentine with the 14th Overall Pick.

The Chicago Bulls made MSU's Denzel Valentine their First Round Draft Pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.

Valentine had an outstanding 2015-16 season, averaging 19.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 7.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, and leading the Michigan State Spartans to the Big Ten Championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

While Valentine, measuring 6' 5.5", lacks elite athleticism, he excels in multiple other facets of his game as shown by his excellent rebounding rate for a back court player and his ability to not only score the ball but to find his teammates.

An excellent word to describe his game is unselfish.

This, combined with his coming out of a solid college program like MSU as a highly decorated senior, make him an almost prototypical Gar Forman and John Paxson draft pick.

It will be interesting to see how Denzel Valentine's game works alongside players like Doug McDermott, another highly decorated four-year college player, as they both develop their game at the next level.

In the second round (Pick #48 Overall), the Chicago Bulls selected Paul Zipser, a 6' 7" small forward from Germany, to complete their draft.

What do you think of the Chicago Bulls 2016 NBA Draft class? What are your thoughts about Denzel Valentine, the Chicago Bulls' first round selection? Please let us know in the comments below!

Chicago Bulls Officially Amnesty Carlos Boozer To Free Cap Space; Lance Stephenson To Charlotte Hornets

The Chicago Bulls, in the minutes before the deadline, officially amnestied the contract of Power Forward Carlos Boozer.

It has been a move that has been anticipated for years and expected since the Chicago Bulls' season ended with a first round playoff loss to Washington.

The Chicago Bulls front office has been in contact with Boozer throughout the summer to make sure that he was the first to know about any moves.

The Bulls had been holding out hope for a trade that would include the still productive Boozer, but his contract is seen as one of the bigger overpays in the league.

Boozer is owed $16.8M for the final season of his contract. As part of the amnesty procedure, Boozer will go through waivers, where other teams can bid on what they would want to pay for his production with the highest bidder winning his services. The Chicago Bulls will be responsible for the difference.

However, the benefit for Chicago would be that Boozer's $16.8M will not count against the salary cap, opening up about $13M in salary cap space.

That space has already been designated for the acquisition of free agent Pau Gasol (3 years, $22M) and for 2011 draft pick Nikola Mirotic (3 years, $17 to 18M).

In lieu of acquiring their primary target this summer, Carmelo Anthony, the Chicago Bulls have run their alternate plan to perfection.

Meanwhile, with Carmelo Anthony returning to essentially the same team in New York under a new head coach, and Lebron James returning to Cleveland under a new head coach and with all new teammates, Chicago's moves quietly put them at the top of the Eastern Conference.

Lance Stephenson Signs With Charlotte Hornets

In another move that strengthens the Chicago Bulls' claim to the Eastern Conference crown, Indiana Shooting Guard Lance Stephenson has agreed to a deal with the Charlotte Hornets.

Stephenson lead the league in triple-doubles last season and was offered a 5 years, $44M contract to return to the Indiana Pacers.

The offer from the Charlotte Hornets is reportedly 3 years for $27M.


How do you feel about the Chicago Bulls' chances in the Eastern Conference and how far will that go in the NBA Playoffs? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Former Spanish League MVP Nikola Mirotic To Finally Join Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls, just days after adding a former 2-time NBA Champion, will now add a former Spanish League MVP to their highly decorated team.

Nikola Mirotic, the coveted 2011 NBA draft pick (23rd Overall), is widely considered the best basketball player in the world not currently in the NBA. He recently completed a multi-million dollar buyout from his Euroleague team, Real Madrid.

Real Madrid ended last season with unfulfilled expectations of another Spanish League Championship, and the resulting rift between ownership and the team's head coach may have been a big factor in encouraging Mirotic's move to the NBA.

The 6' 10" Power Forward will be the latest offensive minded addition to the offensively-challenged Bulls. Mirotic shot 46% from three-point range.

While the Bulls did not win the Carmelo Anthony sweepstakes, they were the best situation going into 2014 NBA Free Agency, and they have only gotten better.

There was some question about whether the team could add Carmelo Anthony and still be able to afford bringing Mirotic over. Instead, the Chicago Bulls were able to add Pau Gasol on an affordable 3 year deal, leaving ample room to fit Mirotic under the salary cap.

This latest roster move allows the Bulls to add significant talent to their team as the entire Eastern Conference appears to have gotten stronger and deeper.

Carmelo Anthony returns to a poor situation in New York which is, at best, will be looking to the 2015 NBA Free Agency to add talent. However, with Carmelo going back on a max deal, the Knicks will not be able to add much depth realistically due to financial constraints.

The upheaval in Miami that saw the split up of the Big 3 will also have significant repercussions to the Eastern Conference playoff race. Unofficially, Lebron's exodus to Cleveland has been addressed by the addition of former Chicago Bull, Luol Deng, for a reported 2 year $20M.

While the terms of a deal are still being worked out due to several moving parts, Nikola Mirotic tweeted on Sunday that he had come to terms on a contract with the Chicago Bulls that will allow him to fulfill his dream of joining the team.

Welcome to the Chicago Bulls! BullsNation is happy to have you!

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Chicago Bulls Acquire Pau Gasol After Carmelo Elects To Return To Knicks

After being presented with the possibility of winning multiple championships by joining Chicago, Carmelo Anthony decided to return to New York where a max contract and a financially strapped team await him.

After narrowing down the choice to play in either New York or Chicago, the money apparently won out over the prospect of winning, in spite of Carmelo's words to the contrary during a torturous and ugly 27-55 campaign last season as the leader of the Knicks.

With the max contract and a static roster situation until next summer, Melo seems to have opted for another lost season waiting to be surrounded by complementary parts.

Chicago Bulls Land Free Agent Pau Gasol

The Chicago Bulls moved forward immediately from missing on Carmelo and added Los Angeles Lakers 7' 0" Center Pau Gasol.

The Chicago Bulls will complete a sign and trade with the Los Angeles Lakers for the two time NBA Champion and 4-time NBA All Star.

Last season, Gasol started 60 games and averaged 17.4 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.5 BPG, and 0.5 SPG. Pau Gasol had a PER of 19.74 last season.

While not the splashy move Chicago Bulls fans had been hoping for in a superstar addition, Gasol has been to and won two NBA Championships with the Los Angeles Lakers.

It was a shrewd move by the Chicago Bulls front office as Phil Jackson was hoping to add Gasol to the Knicks roster at a reduced price in order to streamline implementation of the triangle offense under first year Knicks head coach Derek Fisher.

Gasol tweeted that he was "looking forward to this new chapter of my career".

Are you excited about the Chicago Bulls acquiring 2-time NBA Champion and 4-time NBA All-Star Pau Gasol? Tell us what you think in the comments below!

Carmelo To Chicago Bulls: Lebron to Cleveland Forces #MELOtoCHI

Thankfully, Lebron did not announce his return to Cleveland by tweeting "I'm Back." It was probably the only destination where he could "chase" a ring without being called out for being a ring-chaser.

But assuming that Kevin Love is still "intrigued" about joining Lebron in Cleveland, you would have to think that Cleveland has the assets to get a deal done to put together a Cleveland Big 3 of Lebron, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love.

But that was supposed to be the two guys the New York Knicks had been eyeing to put next to Carmelo Anthony in 2015. Instead, Lebron will remain in the Eastern Conference, possibly be joined by Kevin Love, and got a max contract.

Meanwhile, Melo has been the higher profile free agent this summer, but he has not been handling his business like you would expect of one of the Top 3 players in the league.

Just the fact that ESPN has portrayed him as waiting for Lebron to make his move because Melo was waiting to see if there might be an opportunity to play along side Lebron? That is the same move that got Lebron called out for being a B!+@# in 2010.

So, now all eyes are back on Melo.

Lebron basically swooped in like a ninja and took away any possibility of the New York Knicks spending their way to a better team in the next two years, and if Melo has any intention of winning any hardware before he is known as one of the Top 3 players to never win an NBA Championship, there is only one choice.

Call Phil Jackson's bluff and commit to coming to the Chicago Bulls.

Join a team that has the pieces in place to complement your talent and that would have a Big 3 of Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, and Melo.

And get your max contract money when Knicks ownership tells Phil that he is not letting you walk for nothing in return.

And if it turns out that the Knicks refuse to sign and trade Melo? Get LaLa Anthony her own show on Oprah Winfrey's O Network to make up the difference. Opportunities like that abound in Chicago, for a Champion.

If you BULL-ieve, let us know in the comments below! Thanks BullsNation!

Carmelo To Chicago Bulls: Deal For Love May Be Key To Closing With Melo

While if I were running the Chicago Bulls, I would like to put all the resources available to me into acquiring Carmelo Anthony, it would be equally wise to revisit trying to make a deal for Kevin Love, Chicago's #2 target this off-season, even before Carmelo comes to a decision about coming to Chicago.

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:

1. Securing a deal for Kevin Love would be hedge against Carmelo not coming to Chicago. And...
2. 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!

Carmelo To Chicago Bulls: Bulls Resurge as a Melo Destination

Despite free agents being free to sign with teams, Carmelo Anthony and Lebron James are still mulling over all of their options.

Carmelo Anthony, who, as of yesterday, was reportedly going to resign with the Knicks (according to a source close to Anthony), however as of now, Melo has not even contacted Knicks President of Basketball Operations Phil Jackson.

In addition, Stephen A. Smith and Mike McGraw are both reporting that the Chicago Bulls have re-emerged as an option for Carmelo.

According to McGraw:

"Anthony has regained interest in the Bulls and Tom Thibodeau is reportedly keeping him interested. The Bulls are internally trying to figure out how to close a deal with Anthony. There have been no sign-and-trade talks with the New York Knicks, as the Bulls would need a commitment from Anthony before engaging."

So as it stands right now, the certainty is that Melo is uncertain about returning to the New York Knicks, despite reportedly stating that he trusted in Phil Jackson.

Although it sounded like Carmelo was going to take the certain max deal and then figure out the winning part later, it seems that Carmelo can also see the wisdom in taking the winning now and getting the money sorted out before having to make his commitment to come to Chicago as the means to have both the money and the right situation.

The Bulls should most certainly focus their efforts in closing the deal with Carmelo Anthony, as there truly is no other destination that can show as much certainty about the winning AND the money situations as Chicago before Carmelo signs on.

For all the promises of Phil Jackson and first year coach Derek Fisher, they can only promise the max contract.

The Lakers too can only promise a shorter max deal than New York with the team coming off of a 27-55 season.

Chicago boasts a solid ownership, front office, coaching staff, and a culture of winning and work ethic. They have a former Coach of the Year and the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. The team has an identity that perfectly complements Carmelo's skill set.

And the most beautiful thing is that, if Melo decided to commit to going to Chicago, New York would HAVE TO make a sign and trade deal rather than lose Melo for nothing. A sign and trade could actually speed up the Knicks rebuild so that a turn-around by next fall would not be out of the question.

AND Melo would know that the sign and trade was in place before signing with Chicago.

Sounds like a sure way to get everything Melo should be getting out of free agency.

If you BULL-ieve, let us know in the comments below! Thanks BullsNation!

Carmelo To Chicago Bulls: Melo To CHI Possibly Via Three-Team Deal

Carmelo Anthony wanted the entire long weekend to mull over his options following his four-city tour that took him through Chicago, Houston, Dallas, and Los Angeles.

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.

Tell us what you think in the comments below!

Carmelo To Chicago Bulls: NYC Products Noah, Gibson Makes The Pitch To Melo

Arguably, the Chicago Bulls' top two players last year were Taj Gibson, who narrowly missed winning Sixth Man of the Year, and Joakim Noah, who was named to the All NBA First Team and named Defensive Player of the Year.

Noah and Gibson are also New York City products.

Melo should be feelin' the love in the Windy City being greeted by THIS at the United Center.

So who better to know where Carmelo Anthony is coming from, than two NYC guys who grew up playing ball in the Big Apple and are now thriving as pros in the Windy City.

Particularly Joakim Noah, who grew up hating Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls and makes no secret about it.

Now the blue collar, hard-nosed, chip-on-the-shoulder style that both Noah and Gibson play with is the identity of this defensive-oriented Chicago Bulls team.

It is a style that Carmelo Anthony played with as he tried to will his under-achieving Knicks into the Eastern Conference playoffs only to fall just short.

It must have been an incredible disappointment for a player that has lead a team to a rare title before (the NCAA Championship in 2003). Other reasons have been sited, but is that the real reason Carmelo opted out of the final year of his Knicks contract. A final year that was worth $23.3M?

Chicago also knows disappointment, having been so close to the NBA Finals in 2011 and being the favorites in the East in 2012 before Derrick Rose went down in the first game of the playoffs. And last year, the Bulls also fought and clawed their way through the East.

It is time that Melo joined with guys that will battle every night, the kind of soldiers he can win with.

It is time that he come to Chicago and win a championship.

Tell us what you think in the comments below!

Carmelo To Chicago Bulls: Coveted All-Star Will Visit With Chicago Tonight at Midnight

Carmelo Anthony is rumored to be in Chicago, and he will waste no time before meeting with the Chicago Bulls tonight at 12:01AM, when the NBA free agency period begins.

Chicago is apparently Melo's top priority, as Carmelo is the Bulls' top priority this off-season.

Melo will visit first with the Chicago Bulls before heading to Texas. There, he plans to visit the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, followed by a visit to the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday.

There are also reports that Carmelo will visit the Lakers "next week" (he has a residence in Los Angeles) and a free agency decision will also come next week, if not sooner.

The Competition: New York Knicks

Latest rumors out of New York have the Knicks wanting to pair Carmelo with Lakers free agent Pau Gasol, however the Knicks will have only about $4M available to the sign the former All-Star.

Knicks President of Basketball Operations Phil Jackson coached Pau Gasol with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Many Chicago Bulls fans are cautiously optimistic about the possibility of Carmelo Anthony landing with the Bulls.

By next week, #BullsNation will know if we should be planning an NBA Championship parade sometime in June 2015.

If you could tell Carmelo Anthony what it would mean to the city and #BullsNation if he came to Chicago, what would you tell him?

Carmelo To Chicago Bulls: Former Scoring Champ Will Visit Chicago First After Free Agency Period Begins

Carmelo Anthony has a tentative plan for his visits after the NBA free agency period officially begins on July 1st.

Once again, Chicago is at the top of his list.

Melo will visit with the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday, the first day of the free agency period, before heading to Texas. There, he plans to visit the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, followed by a visit to the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday.

There are also reports that Carmelo will visit the Lakers "next week" (he has a residence in Los Angeles) and a free agency decision will also come next week.

The Competition: New York Knicks

Latest rumors out of New York have the Knicks wanting to pair Carmelo with Lakers free agent Pau Gasol, however the Knicks will have only about $4M available to the sign the former All-Star.

Knicks President of Basketball Operations Phil Jackson coached Pau Gasol with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Many Chicago Bulls fans are cautiously optimistic about the possibility of Carmelo Anthony landing with the Bulls.

By next week, #BullsNation will know if we should be planning an NBA Championship parade sometime in June 2015.

If you could tell Carmelo Anthony what it would mean to the city and #BullsNation if he came to Chicago, what would you tell him?

Latest Chicago Bulls Trade Rumors Ahead of 2014 NBA Draft

It has already been a busy couple of days preceeding tonight's NBA Draft, but the major fireworks could come tonight.

The Chicago Bulls have been in the discussion on a number of deals, including the two biggest prizes of this summer, Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Love (after all, if Lebron decides to move this summer, he will have undone all the legacy building he has done to this point), but for all the talk, they have not pulled the trigger on any deals yet.

Meanwhile, other Carmelo sweepstakes finalists have made some moves:

• The New York Knicks traded Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton to the Dallas Mavericks for Jose Calderon, Samuel Delembert, Shane Larkin, Wayne Ellington, along with 34th and 51st picks in tonight's draft.
• The Houston Rockets sent Omer Asik to New Orleans for a future draft pick and cap space.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls had an opportunity to add long-time target Arron Afflalo, but would not pay the low price of a late first round pick in tonight's draft (possibly signaling the need to hold onto the pick?). Afflalo was traded to Denver today for Evan Fournier and the 56th pick in the draft.

CARMELO TO CHICAGO BULLS NEWS

On the Carmelo to Chicago Bulls front, Carmelo Anthony has stated that he will only visit three teams during his free agency tour:  Houston, Dallas, and CHICAGO.

Carmelo Anthony will only visit three teams on his free agency tour: Houston, Dallas, and Chicago.

Carmelo's former coach with Syracuse and Team USA, Jim Boeheim, told media that after talking to Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau, that he was excited at the prospect of coaching Carmelo Anthony. Melo was the superstar of the 2003 National Champion Syracuse Orangemen and was the leading scorer for Team USA under Coach Boeheim.

KEVIN LOVE TO CHICAGO BULLS NEWS

Rumors revealed that the offer on the table from Chicago to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Kevin Love was Taj Gibson, Tony Snell, and the #16 and #19 Picks in tonight's NBA Draft.

With Kevin Love already stating that he does not intend to resign with Minnesota, the Chicago Bulls offer was not only the best offer currently on the table but also a very fair offer, and it is possible that a deal announced at the NBA Draft tonight is a trade for Kevin Love.

THE 2014 NBA DRAFT

Oh, and in addition to all the trade rumors surrounding the Chicago Bulls, there is also an NBA Draft happening tonight!

Currently, the Chicago Bulls still own the #16 and the #19 Picks, although they have been rumored to want to trade up to claim their target: either Gary Harris of Michigan State or Nik Stauskas, the Big Ten Player of the Year, out of Michigan.

If the Bulls are unable to trade up, some of the players they might find available to them could be very capable of stepping right in due to the depth of this year's draft. Here is my Big Board for each of Chicago's picks.

#16

1. James Young, 6’ 6” SG, Kentucky
2. Nik Stauskas 6’ 6” SG, Michigan
3. Glenn Robinson III, 6’ 6” SF, Michigan
4. Elfrid Payton, 6’ 4” PG, Louisiana-Lafayette
5. Zach Lavine, 6’ 5” SG, UCLA
6. Rodney Hood, 6’ 8” SF, Duke

#19

1. Clint Capela, 6’ 11” C, Switzerland
2. Cleanthony Early, 6’ 8” SF/PF, Wichita State
3. Adrien Payne, 6’ 9” PF, Michigan State
4. CJ Fair, 6’ 6” SG, Syracuse
5. TJ Warren, 6’ 8” SF, NC State
6. Shabazz Napier, 6’ 3” SG, UConn
7. KJ McDaniels, 6’ 6” SF, Clemson
8. Kyle Anderson, 6’ 9” PG/SF, UCLA

#49

1. Patric Young, 6’ 9” SF/PF, Florida
2. DeAndre Daniels, 6’ 9” SF, UConn
3. Roscoe Smith, 6’ 9” PF, UNLV
4. Jordan Clarkson, 6’ 5” SG, Missouri
5. Russ Smith, 6’ 0” PG, Louisville  

In closing, anything can happen tonight, so you'll want to stay tuned!

Who do you think the Chicago Bulls should draft tonight with their first round picks? Who do you think will be drafted #1 Overall tonight? Tell us what you think in the comments below!