NBA News Wire
Report: Anthony serious about Chicago
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony has been doing research on the city of Chicago as he approaches the deadline to exercise the opt-out clause in his contract, according to ESPNNewYork.com.
Anthony has reportedly spoken to at least one high-profile person who lives in Chicago about what it is like to be famous there.
The Chicago Bulls are one of the teams Anthony is considering if he decides to become a free agent July 1. He has until Monday to inform the Knicks if he plans to opt out of the final year of his contract. Anthony indicated throughout this past season he plans to test free agency.
Likewise, the Bulls have reportedly conducted their own research of Anthony recently. Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau has contacted some of Anthony’s former coaches to ask about him, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
ESPN reported in March that Anthony spoke to Bulls center Joakim Noah during All Star weekend about what it is like playing for Thibodeau. Noah reportedly used the conversation as a recruiting pitch to Anthony.
Anthony is also reportedly considering the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks as possible free agency destinations. In addition, the Miami Heat are exploring options to see if they might pursue the seven-time All-Star.
In recent weeks, Knicks president Phil Jackson has met with Anthony to try to persuade him to play out the final year of his contract and put off free agency for a year.
The Knicks can give Anthony a maximum deal of five years and $129 million. However, the most other teams can offer Anthony is four years and $96 million.
