Former Syracuse basketball star Carmelo Anthony won’t be returning to OKC next season. So here’s the top five teams that could acquire Melo.
Stop me if we’ve been here before. Former Syracuse basketball star Carmelo Anthony has worn out his welcome with the Oklahoma City Thunder and will be playing for a new team next season.
That is not opinion, that is fact according to NBA guru Adrian Wojnarowski. After seven tumultuous seasons with the New York Knicks, Melo was forced out of town two years ago. Although the caveat being he picked where he would end up, thanks to his full no trade clause, a rarity in today’s version of the NBA.
Possessing all the control, Melo decided OKC made the most sense. Instead of being a new version of the ‘big three’ with Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and the aforementioned Melo, it was a big dud after being one-and-done in the playoffs.
Anthony had a player option this offseason and chose to accept his near $28 million price tag to come back to OKC. But with the Thunder ready to part ways to save money and Melo ready for a bigger role, there will be a mutual parting of ways prior to the start of next season. Which means a bevy of contenders will be lining up to pick up one of the greatest scorers of this generation. Here’s the top five teams (in order) that make the most sense for Melo.
5. Miami Heat
I’m going to be blunt with you, this one is a bit puzzling. The main reason I included the Miami Heat on this list is because of their reported interest from the No. 1 NBA guru Adrian Wojnarowski. If Woj says it, it’s 100% true.
Although I’ll tell you, I had the same exact reaction when I heard that the Heat were one of the teams LeBron James was considering in free agency this season. What do the Heat have? Another former Syracuse basketball player Dion Waiters but is there anything else?
In all seriousness, they do have a couple of intriguing youngsters, but is that what Melo wants to do at this point in his career? Let’s be honest with ourselves, Melo is 34 years old and isn’t getting any younger.
If any of you thought, oh he’d pick Miami based on a money decision, that’s not necessarily true. The Heat are up against the salary cap threshold and really can’t offer anything substantial. Plus they can’t really offer a lot of playing time either because they already have a rising player in Josh Richardson who starts at small forward plus they gave James Johnson a huge $60 million deal to be their power forward.
4. Philadelphia 76ers
Trust the process? Now we’re starting to get into teams that have serious championship aspirations at this point, that should be the No. 1 thing on Melo’s wish list. The 76ers have some wiggle room with cap space and could make something happen.
Here’s the thing, the city of brotherly love has a slew of budding stars on the team, but they’re lacking a veteran presence. The youth and inexperience clearly showed during the postseason last year in the 76ers exit from the postseason. They could use a stabilizing force and someone who can add some punch.
Also this would be a coming home of sorts for Melo. While Anthony was born in Brooklyn, he was actually raised in Baltimore. Which just happens to be just short of a two hour drive from Philly. You saw the reception LeBron James got when he decided to return to Cleveland after a pit stop with the Miami Heat.
Melo has the potential to check off all his boxes with this landing spot. A nostalgic trip. Make a little green. And perhaps the greatest bucket list item remaining by finally getting a championship ring on his finger.
3. Golden State Warriors
*shrugs shoulders* why not? Everyone else seems to be jumping on the bandwagon with the Golden State Warriors in the great ring chase. Kevin Durant jumped on the bandwagon and took so much heat for it. But guess what? Two years = two NBA Final MVPs and two NBA championships, I think he made the right choice.
While it does seem what people say gets under Melo’s skin. Look at the arbitrary rankings across the web, or All-Star snubs, check the history, Melo has made comments that those rankings are dumb or clearly have no credibility. If he didn’t care, he wouldn’t have commented.
Obviously the Golden State Warriors starting five is locked in place: Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, and the latest addition DeMarcus Cousins. This team could literally have five All-Stars on the team.
So what that means is two fold. On one hand this team is obviously the front runner to win their third straight championship. But on the other hand, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of minutes to spread around, which means Melo’s role would be marginalized. Before Melo makes his decision he has to have a serious discussion with himself, what is most important to him? Money? Championships? Playing time?
2. Houston Rockets
This would be an ironic pairing this offseason. When Carmelo Anthony was traded to the New York Knicks, shortly after he made his first free agent tour and one of the teams discussed was joining the Houston Rockets. Melo ended up choosing more money and stayed with the Knicks.
Then after the New York venture crashed and burned, the Rockets were the lead team trying to acquire his services. Sadly Houston and New York were unable to agree on compensation. Maybe the third time will be the charm this time around?
Here’s the thing, the Rockets won a franchise best 65 games last season and were one game from the NBA Finals. They’ve lost a few ancillary pieces during the offseason, but the main core is there with James Harden (reigning MVP) and good friend Chris Paul who re-signed with the Rockets this offseason.
There’s an opening in the starting lineup for Melo if he so chooses. But really this choice could be which friend does he want to join up with? This choice and the No. 1 on this list is a 50-50 toss up and both make a ton of sense.
1. Los Angeles Lakers
There’s a reason this is the No. 1 team on this list. First off Carmelo Anthony’s destiny could finally be realized: playing alongside his close friend LeBron James. Just in case you live under a rock, you might’ve missed James announcing that he had taken his talents to the Los Angeles Lakers.
When Moses parted the red sea, he was followed by his followers. The same kind of thing works for the LeBron James factor, after his signing became official, several other veterans flocked over to the Lakers and signed deals.
Now this could be the perfect spot for Melo because he gets to play with his friend LJ, plus the limelight of Los Angeles. Melo has always been a guy who has loved the attention, nothing wrong with that. And no team will get more attention than one that James is on. Throw in the market size and this could be a special opportunity on and off the court with sponsorship deals etc.
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Plus with the Lakers he can have a significant role with the team. People forget about what Melo can do because of the recent turmoil, but this cat can score the basketball. With the Lakers he doesn’t have to be ‘the’ guy, he just has to be a guy.