OPINION: Carmelo to the Bulls makes sense

Knicks' forward Carmelo Anthony finished second to Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant in the NBA in scoring, averaging 27.4 points per game in 2013. Anthony has averaged 25.3 points per game during his 10 NBA seasons.

The Carmelo Anthony bidding war began in Chicago on Tuesday afternoon.

The six-time All-Star forward continues his tour around the country this week, making stops in Houston, Dallas and with the Los Angeles Lakers.

When I first heard of Carmelo Anthony's interest in possibly continuing his career in the Windy City, I must admit I was intrigued by the concept. And as the image of Carmelo in a Bulls jersey crept into my psyche, the idea of Carmelo running with the Bulls just makes sense to me.

Starting at the top, the Bulls are one of the NBA's first-class organizations, a strong, stable organization. The Bulls have championship tradition, top-tier attendance and, most importantly in Carmelo's decision, a ready-to-win roster.

Carmelo's best bet is to stay in the Eastern Conference; it's an easier path to the Finals. The Bulls offer a better starting point than the Knicks. Chicago's defense is still one of the league's best. Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson are a lethal combination of shot blockers, as they have developed into a dynamic duo in the paint. And you know Carmelo wants to run with Derrick Rose.

Best case scenario: a healthy Rose and new addition Carmelo will more than fill the scoring hole Chicago lacked in last year's playoff bout with the Washington Wizards. However, if Rose is still not his old, dynamic self by the start of the 2014-15 season, Carmelo can still be the pillar on offense the Bulls will need.

A report from The Chicago Tribune said Gibson has become a key in landing Carmelo. The report also said that if the Bulls were to keep Gibson and his $8 million salary, Carmelo would have to take a pay cut. And if Gibson and Carmelo were to coexist on Chicago's roster, per report, the Bulls would likely amnesty Carlos Boozer and trade Mike Dunleavy, Jimmy Butler and Anthony Randolph. This would give Carmelo a starting salary of $16.9 million.

All of this brings up another good question: If Carmelo is willing to take a pay cut, how low is he willing to go?

It's all going to come down to how bad Carmelo wants a title. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all took pay cuts in Miami and were able to crank out two NBA titles for it. Carmelo doesn't have to join the Superfriends in order to win a championship. All he has to do, at this point in his career, is be willing to accept less money so his team can accumulate the necessary talent needed to procure a championship(s).

The San Antonio Spurs are an excellent example of how Carmelo can get it done. The Spurs have a winning recipe of young talent, veteran leadership and great coaching.

Here's the winning recipe for Carmelo in Chicago as I see it:

First, take a cup of Carmelo and put him into Chicago's mixing bowl. Add two tablespoons of veteran presence (guys like Kirk Hinrich, Noah, Mike James and possibly Boozer). Add a tablespoon of young talent (Rose, Gibson, Jimmer Fredette, Cameron Bairstow, Doug McDermott, Tony Snell). Add a teaspoon from the free agency bowl and a generous cup of Tom Thibodeau.

Stir and place in the NBA's regular season oven for 82 games. What comes out of that oven may contain ingredients that will stay hot enough to last all the way into the NBA Finals.