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!

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: Lebron Return Makes Chicago The Destination For Melo

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: Free Agent Can Make It Official Thursday at 12:01AM

We are coming to the final moments of Melo Watch 2014 as free agents can officially sign as early as 12:01 AM tonight/ tomorrow morning.

As of this moment, Lebron James' camp has announced that no announcement will be made tonight.

Carmelo Anthony was supposed to have made his announcement as early as Monday this week, but a statement is yet to be made concerning where he plans to be playing next season.

Sources have floated that Carmelo Anthony has yet to make a decision, although he still maintains that the only teams he is considering is New York, Los Angeles, and CHICAGO.

ESPN has also reported that Carmelo Anthony is waiting to see what Lebron does first before making a decision. He is supposedly holding out hope that Chris Bosh leaves for Houston so that Melo can play second-fiddle in Miami next to Lebron.

As always, ESPN makes up the worse fake news in the sports media business.

Melo will be a Chicago Bull this coming season.

Carmelo Anthony is not a piggybacker. He has no desire to join Lebron in Miami.

Just being associated with the Chicago Bulls has rehabbed his image from being a selfish chucker who is a volume scorer to being remembered as the leading scorer and best player on a Team USA squad that had Lebron James on it.

That is the legacy Carmelo will leave for the ages by coming to truly the BIGGEST market in the NBA.

If you don't believe it, just remember that one-time MVP Derrick Rose had higher jersey sales than 4-time MVP Lebron James before he was injured. Around the world, the NBA is Michael Jordan, and Michael Jordan was a Chicago Bull.

Carmelo to the Chicago Bulls are a perfect match.

With these ideal complementary role players, Melo and the Bulls will dominate the Eastern Conference, and in helping to lead Chicago to its first NBA Championship since the GOAT, he will make his case for being in the conversation for on the Mount Rushmore of Basketball.

And at 12:01 AM, Melo can make it official.

If you BULL-ieve, tell us so in the comments below! Thanks, BullsNation!

Carmelo To Chicago Bulls: Chicago Big 3 Rises As Miami Big 3 Sets

As #BullsNation awaits the official announcement of Carmelo Anthony's new home, a decision to come to Chicago keeps looking better and better as the likelihood of Miami's relevence in the NBA Championship hunt continues to diminish.

The once impressive Miami Heat front office are elated at adding fringe players like Josh McRoberts and former sharpshooter Danny Granger. Meanwhile, their Big 3, coming off an embarassing dismantling at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs, have not been on the same page about keeping the good times rollin' on South Beach.

Ultimately, the Big 3's embarrassing loss in the 2014 NBA Finals will be blamed for the break-up of the Miami Heat Big 3.

Whether Lebron stays or he leaves will be irrelevent because of his stated desire to get a max contract. The deal will prevent the Heat or any other team from putting together complementary players that would fit under the salary cap unless they already boasted young talent (i.e. Cleveland). Anyway, the days of the Miami Big 3 are essentially finished.

Meanwhile, with the end of the Miami Big 3 and the obvious limitations of the Indiana Pacers, the Eastern Conference is wide open for Chicago to dominate with their new Big 3 of Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, and Carmelo Anthony.

Carmelo pushes Phil Jackson to the very end of the free agency period, but Jackson finally moves Melo to Chicago in a sign and trade involving the Los Angeles Lakers.

After finally completing the Melo deal, the Chicago Bulls also add former Spanish League MVP, Nikola Mirotic, in an embarassment of riches.

For this team that would dominate the Eastern Conference for the next 4 or 5 years, the Chicago Bulls ownership would gladly pay the luxury tax for deep play-off runs every year and a high likelihood of getting the team's first NBA Championship since the Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen-era.

Circumstances have come together for the patient Chicago Bulls to get their own Big 3 and replicate many of the pieces that made for the team's first Championship dynasty.

That time will soon be upon us again, starting with Melo's announcement when a sign and trade is eventually finalized.

Comment below if you BULL-ieve!

Carmelo To Chicago Bulls: Free Agency 2014 Revolves Around Melo Alone

If you're wondering what the hold up is in hearing where all the pieces are going to fall this summer in NBA free agency, you have only one man to talk to.

Carmelo Anthony.

You have heard all the reports about Chris Bosh being the pivotal man holding up a union between Carmelo Anthony and Lebron James in Miami. I have news for you. If Carmelo wanted to join Lebron James in Miami, Chris Bosh would be taking that max contract from Houston before the door hit him on the ass on his way out of Pat Riley's office.

Melo is loath to leave his Knicks in order to join Lebron on the Heat, the same way Lebron screwed his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers in order to join Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in 2010.

However, if Melo was only interested in getting a max contract and staying with the Knicks, that offer has already been made.

So why hasn't he taken it yet.

Because Melo wants it all. And when it comes to getting it all, that translates to getting the money, playing in the biggest market, and winning the NBA Championships.

And that opportunity only exists in Chicago.

The Chicago Bulls had the first presentation on the first day of free agency, and Melo and the Chicago Bulls delegation spoke for 9 hours. 9 HOURS.

Melo knows the Chicago Bulls are the best fit for him, and he can imagine, just as all of BullsNation has imagined, what his role would be with the team. That wouldn't take 9 hours to explain to Melo.

9 hours is the kind of time it takes to discuss the nuts and bolts of how Carmelo Anthony can persuade Phil Jackson to make a sign and trade deal that sends Carmelo Anthony to the Chicago Bulls, the ideal situation for Melo to compete for championships for the next 5 years.

And since Phil Jackson might not want Carlos Boozer's expiring contract, maybe another team could use the productive but overpaid power forward whose contract comes off the books after next season.

A suggested trade centering around Boozer going to the Lakers, Pau Gasol getting S&T to the Knicks, and Melo getting a near max deal in a S&T to go to the Chicago Bulls seems to be the most likely framework for a deal that would finally allow the rest of NBA Free Agency to proceed.

Melo can and will stick to his guns since the Knicks stands to lose Melo for nothing if the Lakers and Bulls get together to do the deal sending Carmelo To Chicago without New York.

BullsNation has been torn between quiet confidence and quiet disappointment but acceptance, despite seeing their team only get stronger as they await Melo's decision.

2008 First Round draft pick Nikola Mirotic has already announced buying out of his contract with Real Madrid, as well as, his plans to play in the NBA next season. Chicago currently holds his exclusive rights and is the only NBA team that can sign him.

Destiny seems to be putting together a new basketball dynasty in Chicago.

Post a comment below if you Bull-ieve! 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!

Support Chicago Bulls Center Joakim Noah For Best NBA Player 2014 ESPY Award

Joakim Noah has had an incredible 2013-14 season.

After resurrecting the Bulls' playoff run following the trade sending Luol Deng to Cleveland, the Chicago Bulls big man led the undermanned team to the 4th Seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

For his efforts, the voters had him in contention for the NBA Most Valuable Player Award, and he was named Defensive Player of the Year.

2014 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Joakim Noah with Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau.

Noah was named to the All-Defensive First Team and was honored as an All-NBA First Team selection at Center.

Oh, and lets not forget that he is in part responsible for helping to recruit Carmelo Anthony to the Chicago Bulls, which seems to be going pretty well.

Now, our beloved Joakim Noah is in contention for the 2014 ESPY Award for Best NBA Player.

CLICK THE IMAGE TO VOTE NOW!

As they say in Chicago, vote early and vote often!

Let's help Joakim win the ESPY Award!

VOTE NOW!

Carmelo To Chicago Bulls: Support Our Campaign to Sign Melo

Even though Carmelo has only just heard pitches by Houston and Dallas, and has yet to hear pitches by the Los Angeles Lakers (Thursday) before having a final conversation with New York, the Chicago Bulls have had the best pitch and best situation on the table to offer Carmelo Anthony.

Of course that isn't always sufficient when it comes to negotiations of this type.

So, how about a lot of good karma?

A little good karma goes a long way, and I would say that our Chicago Bulls are in their present good situation as a result of the Chicago Bulls front office's positive dealings with players and other teams.

And as Chicago Bulls fans, we can also be leaders in building good karma for our team.

CLICK THE ABOVE IMAGE TO RESERVE YOUR SHIRT TODAY!

So, as a part of our effort to acquire Carmelo Anthony (hopefully by sign and trade from the Knicks), we created this teespring campaign to not only show our support for the team's efforts to bring Melo to Chicago (along with a certain NBA Championship) but to also benefit Chicago Bulls charities!

So, please be generous and order your shirt today! And not only give to Chicago Bulls Charities, but help to bring Carmelo to the Chicago Bulls too!

Tell all your friends by entering a comment below, and multiply the good karma!

Carmelo To Chicago Bulls: Good Karma to Bring Melo To Chicago

Even though Carmelo has only today heard pitches by Houston and Dallas, and has yet to hear pitches by the Los Angeles Lakers (Thursday) before having a final conversation with New York, the Chicago Bulls have had the best pitch and best situation on the table to offer Carmelo Anthony.

Of course that isn't always sufficient when it comes to negotiations of this type.

So, how about a lot of good karma?

A little good karma goes a long way, and I would say that our Chicago Bulls are in their present good situation as a result of the Chicago Bulls front office's positive dealings with players and other teams.

And as Chicago Bulls fans, we can also be leaders in building good karma for our team.

CLICK THE ABOVE IMAGE TO RESERVE YOUR SHIRT TODAY!

So, as a part of our effort to acquire Carmelo Anthony (hopefully by sign and trade from the Knicks), we created this teespring campaign to not only show our support for the team's efforts to bring Melo to Chicago (along with a certain NBA Championship) but to also benefit Chicago Bulls charities!

So, please be generous and order your shirt today! And not only give to Chicago Bulls Charities, but help to bring Carmelo to the Chicago Bulls too!

Tell all your friends by entering a comment below, and multiply the good karma!

Carmelo To Chicago Bulls: Adding Melo Would Complete The All-Dunkin' On The Miami Heat Team

Yes, when Carmelo Anthony comes to the Chicago Bulls, there are going to be lots of NBA Championships, MVP Awards, Executive of the Year, etc.

But imagining that starting line-up of Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, and Carmelo Anthony, all I can think of is... those dudes like to dunk it hard on the Miami Heat.

The addition of Carmelo Anthony would give the Chicago Bulls the complete starting line-up for the All-Dunkin' on the Miami Heat Team.

Here's your starting line-up:

Derrick Rose

There is no other point guard in the NBA that belongs on the All-Dunkin' On the Miami Heat Team more that Derrick Rose. He made an art form of carving his way through the Miami Heat defense in full court transition and dunking over the top of whoever he met at the rim.

Jimmy Butler

Jimmy Butler had one of the all-time most memorable dunks on the Miami Heat when he caught an alley-oop and slammed it over the top of a bent over Chris Bosh, and the Chicago Bulls cruised to a dominant win over Miami to end their 27-game win streak that ended up falling short of the longest winning streak in NBA history.

Joakim Noah

Joakim Noah has made no secret of it; he hates Lebron and the Miami Heat. So you can bet that if he has a chance, he will hammer home a dunk on the Miami Heat with all his force every chance he gets.

Taj Gibson

The playoffs are when legends are made. So when Taj Gibson threw down a powerful two-handed slam over an impotent Dwayne Wade during the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals, every Chicago Bulls fan will have that image etched into his memory for a lifetime.

Carmelo Anthony

In their meetings this past season, Melo has dominated his individual match-up against Lebron. As a one-on-one offensive player, Melo stands alone as the best in the NBA. So when the All-Dunkin' On the Miami Heat Team needs a basket, they call on Melo to beat Lebron one-on-one for the slam.

(Just another way that Melo is a perfect fit with the Chicago Bulls!)

Would Melo make the Chicago Bulls the best Dunkin' On the Miami Heat Team in the NBA? Tell us what you think in the comments below!