NBA Rumors: Joakim Noah believes Carmelo Anthony will re-sign with Knicks
By Sam Richmond
It seems as if everyone is starting to come to terms with the idea that Carmelo Anthony will re-sign with the New York Knicks this offseason.
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First, there was a report that suggested front office members of the Chicago Bulls were pessimistic about the team’s chances of landing Melo.
Now, it appears last season’s Defensive Player of the Year, Joakim Noah, has also lost faith in Carmelo coming to Chicago.
From K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune:
"Joakim Noah, intimately involved in the Bulls’ pitch to Anthony, has told several people he believes Anthony will re-sign with the Knicks."
While some might question why Anthony would return to a New York team that couldn’t even make the postseason in the Eastern Conference last season, the answer is simple.
Carmelo stands to make the most by returning to the Knicks, as Phil Jackson and Co. can offer him a five-year maximum contract (worth $129 million).
Other teams, such as the Bulls, can offer Anthony a four-year contract worth $97 million, but it doesn’t appear as if Chicago even plans to do that, as Johnson notes.
"Multiple media outlets reported both the Knicks and Lakers offered Anthony a maximum contract that surpasses the Bulls’ financial means unless the team is gutted. Such an approach is typically against Bulls management’s philosophy."
Given that the Bulls had one of the worst offenses in the NBA last season, losing out on Melo would certainly sting.
He averaged 27.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per game last year, and his presence would instantly make Chicago one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference.