Phil is working on Anthony and James splitting all the money the Knicks have available. Take that, Jerry Krause!

They don't have any available. The only way that they will is if they convince someone like Philly to take Amare off their hands. The only reason that they can sign Melo is because they own his Bird rights.

They don't have any available. The only way that they will is if they convince someone like Philly to take Amare off their hands. The only reason that they can sign Melo is because they own his Bird rights.

The New York Daily News reports that as Carmelo Anthony weighs his options in free agency, the list is down to three teams: the Los Angeles Lakers, the Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks.

Carmelo Anthony is "torn" over where to spend the prime years of his career, according to a friend of the Knicks All Star forward.

Anthony, 30, is still debating his next move with the Knicks, Lakers and the Bulls as his top three choices, the source claims. Chicago is still in the running despite the fact that the Bulls, barring a sign-and-trade, cannot come close to matching the max deals the Knicks and Lakers offered Anthony last week. However, the Bulls do allow Anthony to stay in the Eastern Conference, play in the large market and join a contending team.

via Carmelo Anthony undecided between Knicks, Lakers, Bulls - NY Daily News.

This would seem to vibe with indications over the weekend that the Lakers and Knicks had separated themselves. It had seemed that Chicago might have fallen out of favor. And this does mean that the Rockets, who are pursuing Chris Bosh hardcore, and the Mavericks are moving on to other options.

For Anthony, it basically comes down to best chance to win now (Chicago) vs. most money and Phil Jackson (New York) vs. Kobe Bryant and the max money outside (LA), along with living in LA.

Not an easy choice.

This thing has evolved crazy fast, like everything in free agency. On Saturday morning, Anthony was expected to return to the Knicks. By Saturday night, the Lakers had "a real shot" at Melo. And now the Bulls are back in the picture. So by Monday night the Harlem Globetrotters could be in this. Tuesday morning, the ABA Memphis Pros might make a bid. Who knows.

But if it is down to three teams, Anthony could reach an agreement sooner rather than later

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

Marc Stein ‏@ESPNSteinLine
Popular question raised by last five teams I've talked to: Is Melo holding out in hopes Bosh goes to Houston so he can join LeBron in Miami?

Yes it is.

I believe he wants to know what LeBron will do. I just can't see Melo playing with LeBron and Wade.

The crisis consists precisely in the fact that the old is dying and the new cannot be born; in this interregnum a great variety of morbid symptoms appear.

You don't seem to have a very good track record when it comes to reading Melo's thoughts.

The ideal merger would be Anthony, Bosh, and James, but wade won't be pushed out like that.

Espn had something on what we all expected: Melo is waiting on James before making a decision. Who wants to make the awkward call to Bosh and basically ask him to sign with Houston so Anthony can take his spot in Miami?

If Bosh walks, how much can the offer Anthony?

The victims are the American People and the Republic itself.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

Sami Hassan @SamiBulls ·
Stephen A Smith announced on his radio station ESPN NY that Melo's camp will announce their decision in "few hours" to 24 hours range.

NY Daily News says Melo to NY.

So, it really was all about the $

No use for Parsons? That's crazy. I'd love to see him on the Bulls. I agree Stephenson should be the priority though.

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA
Within Anthony's circle, belief's been this, sources tell Y: Get NY's $129M now, figure out destination later. You can always get a trade

Yes it is.

Sign with the Knicks, then immediately demand a trade.

Mostly. I think he's pretty confident Phil will do really well next summer in FA.