Boeheim: Carmelo Would Take Less Money To Sign With Contender
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Does Carmelo Anthony care more about money or championships?
According to his former coach, Syracuse legend Jim Boeheim, the seven-time All-Star is all about the hardware at this stage of his career.
And he's willing to make sacrifices to cement his legacy a winner.
"In my opinion, he wants to win," the Basketball Hall of Famer told ESPNChicago.com. "I think that's the bottom line. He realizes that this is his peak; three or four years ahead, where's the best place to go and win? I think he'll take a little less money. I don't think that's that big of an issue. Obviously money is important to all of us. But I think Carmelo wants to win.
"I think he wants to get into a place where he feels they have a legitimate chance to win. And I think that will be the driving (force), the thing that drives his decision. But obviously he's enjoyed New York, he likes his time there. But I think he wants to win."
The dynamic scorer opted out of the final year of his contract and will become a free agent on July 1. He's been linked to the Bulls, the Rockets, the Mavericks, the Lakers and even the Heat.
Melo can sign a five-year, $129.1 million deal with the Knicks, who seem far away from contending after missing the playoffs this past season. If he signs elsewhere he'll be leaving money on the table, as he can earn a maximum $95.9 million over four years.
Decision, decisions.
"I have no doubt that he will leave some money," Boeheim told WMVP-AM in Chicago. "How much money is involved, I don't know that. I don't understand all the details. If you are talking about (making) $120 million over the next four years and he is only going to make ($100 million) in Chicago, I think he would take that.
"That's $20 million, still a lot of money, but I would think he would do that. Again, it's hard to walk away from a lot of money. Not a lot of people ever do."
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