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!