Carmelo Anthony is expected to be a free agent on July 1, and reports are indicating that the All-Star forward will definitely be testing the market.
The New York Knicks’ chances of retaining Anthony appear to be slimming by the day, increasing the likelihood he instead dons a Chicago Bulls or a Houston Rockets jersey.
The suitors will be lining up for ‘Melo on July 1. Where he lands remains a mystery. Here are the top five landing spots he should consider:
1. Chicago Bulls
With or without Derrick Rose, the Bulls have always been deprived of a reliable offensive threat. That’s precisely what ‘Melo brings to the table.
If Rose is healthy, Anthony has one of the league’s most athletic point guards and the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year in Joakim Noah to form a contender around.
Like the Heat had to do to accommodate LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, Chicago will likely have to find cheaper role players to replace Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson, who the team can’t afford to pay in addition to Anthony.
2. New York Knicks
Does this sound familiar. Similar to LeBron to the Knicks, Anthony can opt to return to New York and get a team assembled around him.
Phil Jackson is now calling the shots for the Knicks, and arguably the best NBA coach knows what personnel Anthony needs so the team can return to contention.
The Knicks will have money to spend this summer and next, meaning if the team contends in 2014-15 it can be even better the year after.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
This situation is similar to the Knicks, but perhaps more of a risk.
If Melo joins the Lakers this season, he’ll have a core featuring Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Steve Nash. With Anthony implanted as the new centerpiece of the offense, the Lakers are immediate contenders.
However, once Kobe and Nash and Gasol hang up their cleats, the team will undergo another rebuilding phase. Anthony will have to trust the organization replaces those veterans with young talent, a risk he may not be willing to take.
4. Miami Heat
Pat Riley is going to go after anyone and everyone he can to try and keep LeBron in South Beach. I’m confident Anthony is on his radar.
Anthony is a major upgrade as a No. 2 over the aged knees of Dwyane Wade and the inconsistent and sometimes invisible Chris Bosh. LeBron endured the worst possible criticism when he joined the Heat, so no matter what critics say about Anthony joining forces with him, it will likely pale in comparison to the decision in 2010.
5. Houston Rockets
Like Chicago, the Rockets are at the top of the list of Anthony suitors. While this move looks like a no-brainer, it has one major drawback.
The trio of Anthony, Dwight Howard, and James Harden is arguably the best collection of offensive talent in the league today. However, Anthony and Harden are both defensive liabilities.
Defense was the Rockets’ pitfall in the NBA playoffs, and Anthony doesn’t help that. If the team can land Anthony, it needs to find defense-minded role players to plug into the rotation.
