He has the option of staying with a Phil led NY franchise, take less, and have even more cap space after this coming season either way. Last season, we saw what happened with decent coaching and healthy productive players. Dolan used Woodson to help out Miami's 3-peat chance this season and now they will most likely fire him and make other improvements.
I'm not writing it in stone that melo leaves. Him staying is def a possibility.
But acting like its ridiculous for melo to come to Chicago is crazy. There are a ton of reasons for him to come to Chicago
Let's start with thibs and melo having the same company represent them and been trying to get those 2 together which is where those bs thibs to ny rumors started from.
You have a defense that covers all melo weaknesses . Jimmy butler guards the lebron's and Durant's leaving melo free. If melo gets beat he got Noah and taj to cover him. Plus building a supporting cast is easy considering thibs gets the best out of bums.
and it's not a forgone conclusion that we have to trade taj. If melo is true to his word to take a paycut the bulls can amnesty boozer let Kirk walk trade our picks trade dunleavy and let our tpe's expire. This would allow us to keep taj and sign melo at around 16-18 mill depending on what the cap raises to. Add on the difference in state tax and 17 mill is just like making 20 mill in ny considering they state tax is 3x what il is. Side note it's also why Houston would be a threat because with no state tax 16 mill is just the same as 20 mill in ny. Melo would lose a couple mill but not much more than that. Plus melo would be getting a raise every season by time it's year 3/4 making 20 mill anyway
Plus for melo to make all his money all he would have to do is have a 3rd yr opt out something melo and the bulls would be cool with. Melo would do it to opt out in year 3 then cash out for another 3 years. Bulls would be cool cause they know if they contenders it's worth it and if it's not working out they have a way from under his deal.
Chicago just makes too much sense. Of course melo not wanting to up root his fam to another city is def a reason he could stay so again I know him staying in ny is possible. Just the sales pitch a little harder for ny especially when you miss the offs in this weak ass east. How do you convince melo things will be better when that just happened? Then you have to find guys to help melo and a coach. Whereas in Chicago the team already in place.