Anthonys agents courting Bulls

[JCM]

As trade discussions with the New Jersey Nets stall, the representatives for Carmelo Anthony(notes) are engaging the Chicago Bulls with hopes of pushing them into becoming a serious bidder for the Denver Nuggets star, a league source told Yahoo! Sports.

Anthony has long been enthusiastic about a possible trade to the Bulls, but Denver and Chicago officials had been previously unable to come to terms on a deal. Bulls executives John Paxson and Gar Forman have investigated the possibility of acquiring Anthony, but thus far haven’t been willing to include the one player the Nuggets most covet: center Joakim Noah(notes).

Anthony’s agents are under pressure to make a deal happen for the All-Star forward, who sources said has become an increasingly unhappy client. The Nuggets need to agree on a package with a team in which Anthony’s willing to sign a contract extension. Talks with New Jersey and Anthony’s preferred choice, the New York Knicks, have dragged on since Anthony asked for a trade in August.

Nevertheless, William Wesley – Worldwide Wes – is expected to travel to Chicago for Bulls games on Thursday and Saturday against the Dallas Mavericks and Cleveland Cavaliers, a source said. Wesley unsuccessfully pushed LeBron James(notes) to sign with the Bulls as a free agent, and now has an interest in Anthony ending up there. Wesley represents Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau for CAA.

Despite that Leon Rose is certified as the agent of record for Anthony, everyone in the NBA knows Wesley is responsible for delivering the Nuggets star to CAA and is hands-on when trying to push teams into deals for the agency’s clients.

Chicago has wanted the Nuggets to take forward Luol Deng(notes) as a cornerstone to the deal, but Denver hasn’t been interested in absorbing the three years and $40 million left on his contract after this season. The Nuggets want an array of young players and picks the Bulls will have a difficult time providing. Still, Chicago badly needs another scoring option and Anthony is one of the NBA’s elite offensive players.

Noah is recuperating from wrist surgery and is targeting a late February return. Thibodeau is an immense believer in Noah and values his defensive and rebounding presence in the middle. He’s also considered him an underrated offensive player. The Bulls signed Noah to a five-year, $60 million contract extension in the preseason.

Meanwhile, the Nets are still trying to make a deal for Anthony, but sources said team officials have no idea whether he will ever commit to a contract extension with them. New Jersey is still talking with the Nuggets about a three-team deal also involving the Detroit Pistons, and has tried to arrange a meeting between owner Mikhail Prokhorov and Anthony.

The key components of the deal would send Anthony, Chauncey Billups(notes) and Richard Hamilton(notes) to the Nets, and Devin Harris(notes), Derrick Favors(notes), Anthony Morrow(notes) and draft picks to Denver. The Nuggets are trying to include Renaldo Balkman(notes) in the deal – and bring back rookie Damion James(notes) – but the Nets are still resisting exchanging those players, sources said.

Anthony's agents courting Bulls - NBA - Yahoo! Sports

 

[Rush]

With Boozer/Noah/Deng playing solid and Rose putting up at least 25 a game...is the extra scoring truly needed? Just an observation. (Once they return from injury that is)

Rose put up 33 last night against Charlotte without Boozer/Noah. I expect with their presence he'll be able to have the focus off him a little.

 

[JCM]

Taj Deng and Picks?...

 

[Rush]

Carmelo Anthony to Chicago Bulls Trade Rumors in the Air |

HOME PAGED Good find AJ

Would love to give up Taj, picks, and Deng.

 

[JCM]

yeah no problem.

 

[WindyCity7]

Taj Deng and Picks?...

i think that would wk but i would hate repeat HATE to give up taj

 

[X]

i think that would wk but i would hate repeat HATE to give up taj

Yeah, but Taj's come along a lot more often Melo's...

 

[NealKleren]

I've said it before and I will say it again.....Deng,Taj and picks for Melo.....if this would happen I would be too happy.

 

[ChicTownBoyJohn]

*Crossing my fingers Anthony comes to Chicago*

 

[X]

Anybody wonder if the real reason Deng has been playing 44 minutes a game is to bump his stats/showcase him for a trade?

 

[NealKleren]

Anybody wonder if the real reason Deng has been playing 44 minutes a game is to bump his stats/showcase him for a trade?

I've thought about that awhile back as well

 

[Relapse]

With Deng playing solid I think Denver might consider Loul, Taj, and picks...

The real question is if GarPax has the balls to go out and pull the trigger. We immediately become title contenders if they can get this done. I don't see a reason why we would not press for this trade to get done. Who cares if we are a really solid team... one move can make you a title contender, you fucking do it.

 

[X]

With Deng playing solid I think Denver might consider Loul, Taj, and picks...

The real question is if GarPax has the balls to go out and pull the trigger. We immediately become title contenders if they can get this done. I don't see a reason why we would not press for this trade to get done. Who cares if we are a really solid team... one move can make you a title contender, you fucking do it.

Also kind of fixes the the SG role...just start Brewer. His defense will be needed anyway.

 

[Crystallas]

Bogans, Deng, Taj, JJ, picks for Melo, Afflalo

muahahaha... nobody is that stupid

 

[Shakes]

This is just another desperate attempt by Melo's agent to convince Melo to go somewhere he doesn't want to. Melo's agent doesn't get paid until Melo signs an extension, and Melo only being willing to sign with the Knicks is costing him money. No shit he's waging a campaign to try to convince Melo to sign elsewhere.

I don't believe it'll make any difference, Melo is going to New York some way or another.

 

[Shakes]

FWIW the Bulls should be hoping Melo does get traded to New York this year so Denver blows it all up so we can pick up Afflalo for picks (we have the cap space to absorb his contract without sending anything out). This team is a contender with only that change, IMO second only to the Heat.

 

[Chi-Town Brahma]

Anybody wonder if the real reason Deng has been playing 44 minutes a game is to bump his stats/showcase him for a trade?

Good thought process....and yeah, I totally could see that being the case.

 

[Crystallas]

Nets just announced that the meeting is canceled and all interest in Carmelo has seized.

 

[Shakes]

So you guys think Deng was being showcased under VDN as well? Deng was top 10 in minutes last year before he got hurt. I think it's far more likely Deng is just a guy who can handle playing big minutes.

 

[Jonah Puls]

Twitter

Nets GM Billy King speaking live now echoed owner Prokhorov and said NJ chase for Carmelo Anthony is completely and absolutely over.