by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni
Carmelo Anthony is reportedly interested in playing for the Chicago Bulls. Not surprisingly, the Bulls would welcome him with open arms, should a reasonable deal for his services become available. And that’s where the trouble begins.
According to numerous media outlets, Chicago and Denver are having talks involving ‘Melo, Joakim Noah, Luol Deng and perhaps some draft picks.
From the Sun-Times:
According to multiple reports, the Bulls and Denver Nuggets have talked about a trade that would send the high-scoring small forward to Chicago to form another Big Three along with Derrick Rose and Carlos Boozer. The Bulls would prefer to build a deal around forward Luol Deng, but the Nuggets are reluctant to take on Deng’s contract, which has four years and roughly $15 million left.
A source said the Nuggets would be more interested in a deal built around center Joakim Noah, but the Bulls are trying to decide whether such a deal interests them — especially considering Deng probably still would have to be included to make the deal work under the rules of the salary cap.
Now, the reality is no one seems to truly believe that a deal will be worked out anytime soon — if ever — between the two sides.
Landing Anthony would obviously be a major coup for the Bulls’ front-office, but what they’re offering back to the Nuggets doesn’t seem to make a whole lot of sense: Deng is a financial albatross, and as good as Noah is, would any GM be able to justify trading Carmelo for him?
The Carmelo Anthony Saga doesn’t appear ready to conclude anytime soon.
