After Carmelo's last season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, it's not a surprise that he would get traded, eventually leading him to became a free agent.
I mean, when the Westbrook-PG13-Melo combo was first introduced pretty much the entire NBA world went crazy -- myself included. Now, Westbrook and PG13 did their thing -- and so did Melo -- but it just wasn't the Big Three we were all hoping for.
Well, at least PG is staying with Russ, I'm happy with that.
Nonetheless, on last Wednesday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Anthony became a free agent after a buyout with the Atlanta Hawks, and -- almost -- everyone is expecting him to sign a one-year contract with the Houston Rockets for $2.4 million.
Yet, on top of that, Melo is still supposed to get the full $27.9 million he's owed for signing a deal for the veteran's minimum in Houston.
Let's take a look at how this set-up will go if he does join superstars James Harden and Chris Paul via Jack Maloney and Colin Ward Henninger of CBS Sports:
Houston's wing depth took a big blow this offseason when Trevor Ariza signed with the Phoenix Suns and Luc Mbah a Moute signed with the Los Angeles Clippers. Anthony will be tasked with filling that role, though he has been a different type of player throughout his 15-year NBA career.
. . .
If the Rockets were simply adding Anthony to bolster their depth, that would be one thing. But they've lost Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute this summer, and replaced those two with Michael Carter-Williams, James Ennis and Anthony. It's hard to see how the Rockets won't be a little worse next season.
That sounds hopeful, but let's hear it from another expert -- Ben Golliver of Sports Illustrated:
Rather than mold him into a more effective player, the Thunder enabled some of Anthony's most damaging tendencies by teaming him with Russell Westbrook and Paul George in a misguided and slapdash Big 3. Despite shooting poorly all year and struggling to get to the free throw line, Anthony attempted more shots in clutch situations than George, shooting just 29% on them. Despite playing within an offense that desperately needed better spacing and more high-efficiency shots, Anthony couldn't resist taking nearly a quarter of his shots from the long-twos range and hitting just 38% of them. And despite posting one of the worst net ratings in the 2018 playoffs, Anthony held on to his starting spot while Oklahoma City crashed out in the first round against Utah.
. . .
The coming season in Houston will reveal whether Anthony's defiance is full-fledged denial. The Rockets have two stars in James Harden and Chris Paul, but Anthony is hardly being asked to join another Big 3. In terms of what the Rockets need to get past the Warriors and reach the Finals, Anthony is a clear downgrade from Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute, two forwards who left Houston this summer. Unlike his predecessors, Anthony plays defense like someone who hasn't been asked to and isn't about to start now. He has no chance handling an elite small forward like Kevin Durant in one-on-one coverage, he struggles navigating through multiple switches, and he's ripe for exploitation when trying to contain guards in space.
Well, ladies and gentlemen... once again I cannot wait for the basketball season.
