Carmelo Anthony was granted his wish. He’s headed to free agency, able to pick the team of his choosing.
Hopefully for him, it winds up better than the last time he requested a trade.
The Thunder agreed to move Anthony and a protected 2022 first-round pick to the Hawks on Thursday afternoon as part of a three-team deal that also will send point guard Dennis Schroder from Atlanta to Oklahoma City and forward Mike Muscala to the 76ers, Yahoo Sports reported. Also in the deal, the 76ers are sending Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot to the Thunder and Justin Anderson to the Hawks.
The Rockets, with a need on the wing after losing Trevor Ariza (Suns) and Luc Mbah a Moute (Clippers) in free agency, are the reported front-runners to land Anthony. That would mean a reunion with coach Mike D’Antoni, whom Anthony clashed with in his time with the Knicks. Anthony met with Houston and the Heat earlier this offseason in Las Vegas.
After acquiring Jeremy Lin from the Nets last week and trading up to nab Oklahoma star Trae Young in the draft, Atlanta was looking to move Schroder, who has three years and $46.5 million left on his contract, creating cap space for seasons beyond this coming one. The 24-year-old German guard is coming off his best of five NBA seasons, averaging 19.4 points, 6.2 assists and 3.1 rebounds in 67 games with the Hawks last season.
The Thunder were looking to move the 34-year-old Anthony after he opted in to his $27.9 million player option. This trade allows Oklahoma City to save $62 million in luxury tax and $73 million altogether, ESPN reported, and it adds a productive player in Schroder who fits their roster.
Less than a year ago, Anthony was traded by the Knicks to the Thunder — they were one of three teams, along with the Rockets and Cavaliers, Anthony was willing to waive his no-trade close to go to — but that move didn’t work out for him anywhere close to anticipated.
Instead of forming a Big Three with Russell Westbrook and Paul George, he was more like a third wheel. Anthony notched career lows of 16.2 points per game and 32.1 minutes, while shooting just 40.4 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from 3-point range. He moved to power forward and had the ball in his hands far less than he was accustomed to. He struggled in the playoffs, and after an opening-round exit, expressed displeasure in his role. Anthony also pushed back against the idea of coming off the bench, saying he didn’t believe he could be effective in that role.
If Anthony does wind up with the Rockets, it would seem likely he would slide into Ariza’s starting spot at small forward, though the 10-time All-Star would take a backseat on the offensive end to reigning MVP James Harden and Chris Paul, his close friend.
Being given a supporting role didn’t work out well for him in Oklahoma City. Then again, it would be hard for Anthony’s next move to go any worse.
