New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony plans on visiting the Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks and Chicago Bulls when free agency begins on July 1, according to ESPN's Chris Broussard. The Los Angeles Lakers are conspicuously absent from Anthony's list, but Kobe Bryant still plans on recruiting him to Los Angeles.
Lakers not included on Carmelo Anthony’s list of free-agent visits
The Lakers aren’t on Anthony’s list, but the Knicks star does plan on visiting the Rockets, Mavericks and Bulls when free agency begins.
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Anthony opted out of the final year of his contract with the Knicks in order to test free agency, and ESPN reported that as many as seven teams are planning on chasing after him. Anthony could still return to New York, and the Knicks can offer $33 million more than any other team.
New Knicks president Phil Jackson has already started making moves, sending Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton to the Mavs for Jose Calderon, Samuel Dalembert, Shane Larkin, Wayne Ellington and two second-round picks. It's unclear what kind of effect this move will have on Anthony's future in New York, but the move does give the Knicks a bit more flexibility this season while also adding some young talent.
If Anthony does plan on leaving, the Rockets, Mavs and Bulls appear to be at the head of the pack to acquire him. Some view Chicago as the front-runner to steal Anthony from New York, but Broussard says there’s no true favorite. Dallas may have helped its chances by trading for Chandler, one of Anthony’s close friends, although that may not be enough to sway the Knicks star.
As for the Miami Heat, Anthony reportedly hasn't shown much interest in joining LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in South Beach.
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