The Chicago Bulls are planning to negotiate a sign-and-trade deal with the New York Knicks if Carmelo Anthony decides to move to the Windy City this summer.

However, multiple reports confirmed that New York will not agree to such scenario if the Bulls will include Carlos Boozer in the deal because the Knicks are not interested in absorbing Boozer's lucrative contract next season.

Boozer will be playing in the final year of his contract next season that pays him $16.8 million. The Bulls were previously hoping that the Knicks would be interested in taking Boozer's expiring contract

However, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that the Knicks "rebuffed" the Bulls several times when asked about a possible sign-and-trade deal involving Boozer, who averaged 13.7 points and 8.3 rebounds last season -- his lowest productions since his rookie season with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Bulls are reportedly optimistic that Anthony will eventually decide to pick Chicago after an impressive recruiting pitch on Tuesday at the United Center.

With no sign-and-trade deal in sight, the Bulls will have no other choice but to acquire Anthony via free agency.

However, the Bulls have no cap space to produce an offer near the $22.4-million deal the Knicks can offer to Anthony when New York make their own pitch later this week.

The Bulls can amnesty Boozer and trade Mike Dunleavy to create $15 million in cap room. They are also expected to consider trading Jimmy Butler, but it won't make of a difference because the three-year veteran will only make $2 million next season.

Anthony has also talked to the Houston Rockets and the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday. The All-Star forward will also meet with the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday and ESPN reported that Kobe Bryant will play a big role in their recruitment after the superstar cut his European vacation short to attend the scheduled meeting.

Anthony, who averaged 27.4 points to go along with 8.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists last season, will have another meeting with the Knicks before announcing his free agency decision, which is expected to come next week.

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