Rose previously adamant that he would not pitch to free agents.
Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose participated in the recruitment process for Carmelo Anthony on Tuesday, despite previously insisting that he would not be part of any sales pitch to any free agent.
While Rose declined to comment to reporters as he left the United Center, it is clear that along with team-mates Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson, the trio spoke with Anthony during his visit to the franchise in order to persuade him to sign with the Bulls.
Rose has long maintained that he would not recruit free agents to play with him in Chicago, but coach Tom Thibodeau has insisted more recently that every player would be available to meet with free agents if needed.
Anthony arrived with Thibodeau to the UC to be greeted by a picture of himself in a Bulls uniform wearing his No.7 jersey, while the marquee in front of the stadium showed him as a Bull with the Larry O’Brien trophy as the organisation left nothing to chance in trying to convince him that this is where he should move.
The Knicks are the only team that can offer Anthony a max contract worth $129m over five years, as all other interested teams are limited to a $96m deal over four years.
However, the 30-year-old has conceded that the financial aspects of his decision are not at the forefront of his mind, and his focus is on choosing a team that will give him the best opportunity to win an NBA championship in the immediate future.
Anthony has also previously admitted that he would find it difficult to leave New York, and the Knicks remain favourites to secure his future, but with visits to the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers to come, it remains to be seen where ‘Melo really sees his future.
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