Updated 08:30 AM EDT, Fri, Mar 29, 2024

NBA Free Agents 2014 Rumors: Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls Confident They Can Sign Carmelo Anthony This Summer

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The likelihood of Carmelo Anthony staying with the New York Knicks improved after Phil Jackson was given full control of the team's front office, but the Houston Rockets and Chicago Bulls are still confident of their chances of signing the superstar forward.

Yahoo Sports reported that re-signing with the Knicks remains Anthony's top priority, but the 29-year-old superstar is also expected to consider all his options.

Sources indicated that the Rockets and the Bulls are still planning to make a strong push to sign Anthony when the 11-year veteran hits free agency in the offseason.

The Bulls can create cap space to offer a max deal to Anthony, while the Rockets are also confident that they can make necessary moves to form a trio of Anthony, Dwight Howard and James Harden.

"Anthony has free-agent options, and two have risen above everything else: Chicago and Houston, sources with direct knowledge of his plans told Yahoo Sports. The Bulls have an easier path to clear the necessary salary-cap space to sign Anthony, but the Rockets believe they can shed the contracts necessary to offer a third near-max deals alongside Dwight Howard and James Harden," Yahoo Sports noted.

Previous reports indicated that the Bulls are planning to use their one-time amnesty option to waive veteran forward Carlos Boozer, who is scheduled to earn $16.8 million next season.

Releasing Boozer via the amnesty clause and trading one more role player would give the Bulls the opportunity to sign Anthony to a max contract, forming a formidable trio of Anthony, Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah.

The Rockets, on the other hand, will have to find takers for the "poison pill" contracts of Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik to have a shot at Anthony this summer.

Lin and Asik, who will both earn $14.9 million next season, were reportedly shopped before last month's trade deadline, but the Rockets failed to find a trading partner.

Previous reports also indicated that the Rockets could also convince the Knicks to a sign-and-trade deal that would send Anthony to Houston in exchange for Lin and Asik—a scenario that will likely happen if Anthony forces a trade to Houston this summer.

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