The 2014 NBA Free Agency Rumors & Predictions are taking all shapes and forms. This time, it's a fervent appeal to Carmelo Anthony to consider a contender from left field-the Charlotte Hornets.

Because it's a small market and not known to be a contender (though they did make the playoffs), the Hornets are not even on Melo's shortlist (which includes Chicago, Houston, Dallas and the LA Lakers). Which is why the idea is a total surprise:

From Grantland: "How unexpectedly wonderful would it be if Carmelo signed with the Charlotte Hornets? How great would it be to see a superstar join a small-market team with almost no tradition, buck the superteam trend, and still have a fantastic opportunity for on-court success?"

We might be asking too much from Anthony here. While he shamelessly demanded a trade from his original team Denver to the bright lights of New York, the fact is that he can play, and teams want him.

About Charlotte not being a contender, they have two things that the Knicks do not: Youth and talent.

"The Hornets already have nearly all the necessary pieces in place to maximize the talents of a score-first superstar. They sported a top-10 defense last year. Their two best players are a bolt of lightning at point guard and a maestro in the pivot who operates with the cunning efficiency of a sewing machine."

They also have a future with this year's draft steals. Charlotte had one of the highest grades this draft, making the most of their picks:

"They just nabbed arguably the draft's biggest steal with the no. 9 pick (Noah Vonleh, a.k.a. LaMarcus Aldridge 2.0) and one of its best shooters (P.J. Hairston). They have cap flexibility, trade assets, young talent, a coach who has already proven himself where it matters most (defense), and a maniacally competitive owner who likes to spend money and has a decent amount of it lying around."

The Hornets may fall short of a max contract-but the Bulls, Rockets, Mavericks and even LA would ask him to take pay cuts. Even his own Knicks suggest that:

Phil Jackson on ESPN NY: "I think [there is] a precedent that's been set. Because the way things have been structured now financially for teams is that it's really hard to have one or two top stars or max players, and to put together a team with enough talent, you've got to have people making sacrifices financially."

Bottom line: In Charlotte, Melo would be on a possible contender while still maintaining top dog status. His legacy would be better since he led a team of youngsters to the promised land instead of being a hired gun.

Will Carmelo Anthony open his eyes to the possibility?