Houston Rockets' disgruntled superstar Carmelo Anthony has been traded to the Chicago Bulls for cash considerations. The deal won't be made official until Tuesday, but the 10-time NBA All-Star is reportedly not expected to suit up for by the Bulls. Despite the apparent decline of the former scoring champ, recent reports suggest that Melo is still drawing attention from NBA teams and elsewhere.
The Carmelo Anthony trade was first reported by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. While Anthony has been trade-eligible for quite some time now, the timing of the trade seems to coincide with Clint Capela's injury. The Rockets have reportedly cleared a roster spot for Kenneth Faried by waiving James Nunnally.
The Houston Rockets have agreed to trade Carmelo Anthony and cash to the Chicago Bulls, league sources tell ESPN. — Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 21, 2019
Meanwhile, this marks the 4th time that Carmelo Anthony has been moved. Despite a widely successful career playing for the Denver Nuggets, the New York Knicks, and the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Syracuse product is not expected to be part of the Chicago Bulls' future.
Anthony won't play a game for the Bulls, league source tells ESPN. He will be released and become a free agent if he clears waivers. https://t.co/Oo2IA0nsJP — Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 21, 2019
That being said, recent reports hint that the former US basketball national team forward is still drawing attention from several NBA teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, the Portland Trailblazers, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Brooklyn Nets. Carmelo Anthony has also been linked to the Golden State Warriors, and there are other contending teams that could use the services of the talented forward.
Potential Landing Spots For Carmelo Anthony
Los Angeles Lakers
It is no secret that LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony are close friends and the former even claimed that he's always wanted to play with Anthony. Speaking with New York Daily News about the possibility of Anthony joining the Lakers, James said, "it'll be great." While there seems to be some hesitation within the Lakers camp about acquiring Anthony, the Lakers' injury situation may have opened the door for Anthony. After all, James said that he'd play with Melo "if the opportunity presents itself."
After being spotted getting dinner with Carmelo Anthony in NYC, LeBron was asked if he’d want to play with him on the Lakers. He says yes - which is pretty obvious given their history - but stops short of making any sort of declaration that LAL needs to make it happen. pic.twitter.com/6HVtPwQ7Ak — Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 19, 2018
Brooklyn Nets
For those who have followed Carmelo Anthony's career, this would be pretty self-explanatory. Anthony's family still resides in New York, and Brooklyn is the closest team to his home. Add it to the fact that the Brooklyn Nets have surprised nearly everyone with the way they are performing this season, adding Melo into the mix would not hurt the team's chances of making it into the playoffs.
Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers have always been a good enough team to make the playoffs. They just can't seem to get over the hump and adding another dynamic perimeter scorer could be the answer to their playoff woes. Not only will Anthony's presence open up the lanes for Damien Lillard and CJ McCollum, but the two Blazer superstars also seem to have a genuine belief that Anthony could help the team. After all, Lillard and McCollum tried to recruit Anthony before Melo was traded from the Knicks to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers is seemingly hell-bent to build a roster that could win the Larry O'Brien Trophy. They sacrificed two key-pieces in Dario Saric and Robert Covington to acquire All-Star Jimmy Butler. The crux of the matter here is that 76ers have lost two key outside snipers, outside shooters that could open up the lane for star Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. The 76ers could plug that hole if they can acquire Carmelo Anthony.
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat is currently in the playoff picture despite the slow start on Dwayne Wade's last dance. Without All-Star Goran Dragic, the Heat is playing just well enough to be a contender. But when the playoff starts, they would need all the help that they could get. And it seems fitting if Anthony joins the Heat for Wade's final season. And it doesn't hurt that Wave and Anthony are close friends too.
While Carmelo Anthony averaged 16.2 points per game for OKC and 13.4 points ppg (career low) for Houston, Anthony is undeniably one of the most gifted scorers the league has ever seen. Just having him on the floor is enough for defenses to scramble and benefit Melo's teammates. And if NBA teams can't make a deal with the former All-Star, Melo can always take his talents to China or Europe. That, or he could be hanging up his jersey.
