Derrick Rose's recruiting pitch to Carmelo: 'The game would be easy'
Carmelo Anthony admitted that he was only really considering two teams when he was a free agent this summer: New York and Chicago. Though he ended up re-signing with the Knicks, Anthony got an interesting pitch from Bulls point guard Derrick Rose: Pairing up would make the game "easy."
Rose said his message to Anthony was about simplifying both of their lives, according to ProBasketballTalk. Asked what he told Anthony, Rose said:
"That if he was to come, that the game would be easy. I don’t know how easy but of course it would be easy. And that we wanted him. Just plain and simple, we wanted him to come. He decided to go somewhere else. But it’s no hard feelings. I can’t get mad at the decision he made."
More: History shows dangers of trading superstars
Though the Bulls missed out on Anthony, the team has still had an active summer. Chicago signed former Lakers center Pau Gasol to a three-year, $22 million deal, signed international prospect Nikola Mirotic, and traded up in the draft to take Creighton star Doug McDermott. The Bulls are reportedly not done dealing and have made an offer to the Minnesota Timberwolves for All-Star Kevin Love.
Chicago went 48-34 and was the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference last season.
- Alex Hampl
