In today's Knicks Rumors Roundup, Carmelo Anthony received the first recruiting pitch of his much-hyped foray into free agency on Tuesday, newly-acquired guard Jose Calderon is ready to rock and roll at MSG, and we will have all the latest on the Knicks' activity on the first day of the 2014 NBA free agency period.
Windy City travels for Melo, Rose pitches the Bulls
Despite his publicized dislike for recruiting other players via free agency, Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose joined a group of other Bulls players and management officials in the team's pitch to New York Knicks free agent Carmelo Anthony.
According to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune, "Rose arrived at the United Center near 9 a.m. for a rehabilitation session with team personnel, according to sources. He joined the Anthony pitch as an active participant."
The Bulls welcomed Anthony to Chicago with electronic signage just outside of the United Center. When he got into the building, All-Star center Joakim Noah was already there.
The meeting is scheduled to continue with a tour of the team's new practice facility across the street.
Calderon is ready to go in the Big Apple
Former Dallas Mavericks point guard Jose Calderon is excited to get to work with the Knicks - and he hopes that work environment includes Carmelo Anthony:
“I think I can help him to get the pressure (off) of him and just give him the ball when he’s ready for it. That’s what I’ve been doing. I did it in Toronto with (Chris) Bosh or (DeMar) DeRozan, last year in Dallas with Dirk (Nowitzki) and I just try to help him every time. And because of my 3-point ability, I can give him even more space,” Calderon stated, via Jonah Ballow of NYKnicks.com.
The addition of Calderon and center Sam Dalembert has indeed not gone unnoticed by Melo - however, Melo will continue to survey his options on the open market as the week goes along.
Free agency rumblings
*Per Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Knicks and Hawks have expressed interest in unrestricted free agent center Elton Brand.
*ESPN.com is reporting that the Dallas Mavericks and Dirk Nowitzki are halting contract negotiations until the team gets a better feel of their chances for either Carmelo Anthony or LeBron James.
Can't get enough Knicks rumors? Here's some other team pages to follow:
Back to the New York Knicks Newsfeed