NBA Free Agents 2014 Rumors: Chicago Bulls Have Best Chance to Sign Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony has hinted that he is leaning towards staying with the New York Knicks, but most league executives still believe that the All-Star forward will eventually decide to leave the Big Apple this summer.

And if Anthony decides to bolt out of New York this offseason, Bleacher Report columnist Jim Cavan is convinced that the Chicago Bulls have the best chance of acquiring the 29-year-old forward.

The Bulls have been very reluctant to go over the luxury tax threshold for the past several years.

Signing Anthony would put the Bulls over the tax limit, but they are reportedly determined to pair Anthony up with superstar point guard Derrick Rose next season.

The Bulls could create cap space to sign Anthony this summer by amnestying Carlos Boozer.

Aside from the financial side of the deal, the Bulls are considered an ideal landing spot for Anthony also because it would give the former Syracuse standout a good chance of winning a title.

"If, however, Chicago decides to amnesty Carlo Boozer, thereby recouping most of the $16.8 million owed to him in 2014-15, the team could conceivably offer Melo the best of both worlds: A healthy team back on the path toward contention and a tidy little payday to boot," wrote Cavan. 

However, Anthony is expected to consider signing with the Bulls only if he thinks Derrick Rose can regain his old form.

The former Most Valuable Player sustained another season-ending knee injury this season, and there are doubts about if he can stay healthy the next several years.

If the Anthony-to-Bulls scenario does not materialize in the offseason, Cavan wrote that the 11-year-veteran will re-sign with Knicks.

Anthony, who is averaging 28.3 points and 8.5 rebounds this season, recently admitted that the team's disappointing season has been taking its toll on him.

But instead of hinting that he wants out of New York, Anthony expressed desire to take a significant pay cut in the offseason to give the Knicks a chance to build a competitive roster around him.

Knicks owner James Dolan, who has a reputation as a big spender, has yet to comment on Anthony's recent statement, but sources are convinced that he will give into his superstar's demand in order to keep him in New York.

"New York's mercurial owner could be willing to meet the star halfway: Sign for less, and I'll go out and get you more weapons, cost be damned," Bleacher Report noted.