Carmelo Anthony can sign for more money and an extra year with his incumbent team, the Knicks. Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Keep in mind, however, that Chicago and Houston would have to make multiple moves to sign Anthony to anything approaching a max contract, and Miami would face an even more difficult challenge. If those teams fail to create the space, Anthony would have to sign for even less than what is indicated below:

Wages courtesy Spotrac.com

It will be interesting to watch if the players' association seeks changes to Bird rights. Either the NBA or union can opt out of the CBA in 2017, four years before it expires. Any changes to compensation must be collectively bargained. If higher salaries fail to motivate stars to stay with their teams, then why pay stars who leave less?

Robert Raiola, who co-authored this story, is a senior manager in the Sports & Entertainment Group of the accounting firm O'Connor Davies, LLP.