Joakim Noah Reportedly Recruited Carmelo Anthony to Chicago

 

by Marcel Mutoni / @ marcel_mutoni

Carmelo Anthony will be the biggest free agent this summer, and NBA front-offices aren’t the only ones jockeying for position to land him.

Rival players are also said to be getting involved.

Joakim Noah reportedly approached Melo during All-Star Weekend about relocating to the Windy City, as Anthony was curious about what it’s like to play for head coach Tom Thibodeau.

Per ESPN:

The sources said Noah told Anthony something to this effect: You can go to Los Angeles, but if you really want a ring, if you really want your legacy to be about winning, you should come to Chicago.

Anthony responded by telling Noah that he admires how hard the Bulls play and how hungry they are. He also told him, according to the sources, that Derrick Rose is his son’s favorite player.

Sources said Rose also wants the Bulls to add Anthony and would be willing to help recruit him if he is asked to do so.

The conversation between Anthony and Noah started as a discussion about what it’s like to play for Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau. With rumors about Chicago going after Anthony as well as about Thibodeau possibly coaching the New York Knicks next season, Anthony wanted to know about Thibodeau.

The Los Angeles Lakers were initially considered the biggest threat to the New York Knicks for Carmelo’s services, but increasingly, the Bulls are seen as a better option should Anthony decide to bolt.

It would take more than Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose’s pitches for Chicago to land Carmelo Anthony – they could offer him about $18 million a year by amnestying Carlos Boozer (and his $16.8 million from their cap figure), and shipping out Mike Dunleavy’s $3 million salary.

With the Knicks able to give him a max deal that would start at $22 million, the superstar forward would need to accept a pay cut to switch teams.