NBA Rumors: Mavericks to offer Carmelo Anthony $75 million

The Dallas Mavericks have always seemed like long shots to land free agent forward Carmelo Anthony.

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While playing alongside Dirk Nowtizki was sure to entice Melo, the Mavs couldn’t pair Anthony with two other superstars like the Chicago Bulls and Houston Rockets can, nor could they offer him the financial security the New York Knicks are able to.

Based on a new report from ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, it’s becoming increasingly clear just how far behind the Mavericks are of the Knicks from a financial perspective. While New York can offer Carmelo a five-year maximum contract worth $129 million, MacMahon suggests Dallas’ offer is around $75 million throughout four years.

At this point, it’s looking like the Mavs have little to no shot at signing Carmelo. To be fair, it doesn’t appear any team other than the Knicks has a very good chance.

A report from Yahoo Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski suggests the Knicks are in great shape after a recent meeting with Carmelo.

"All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony probed New York Knicks management on the franchise’s plan to restore a contending roster and left his final free-agency meeting largely aligned with president Phil Jackson’s vision, league sources told Yahoo Sports.Anthony had direct questions for Jackson and coach Derek Fisher during a Thursday meeting in Los Angeles, and Anthony’s increased confidence with the Knicks’ direction – which includes a maximum contract offer of five years and $129 million – has strengthened the franchise’s chances of re-signing Anthony, league sources told Yahoo Sports."

It might be time for the Mavericks to direct their focus elsewhere.