Carmelo Anthony opens up trade clause for Oklahoma City Thunder

Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Carmelo Anthony on the OKC Thunder? I think yes.

The Houston Rockets. The Cleveland Cavaliers. The Oklahoma City Thunder. That’s who’s currently in the running for Carmelo Anthony according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Ian Begley.

The report states Carmelo added the two teams over the past ten days. It’s not a coincidence that this change of heart from Melo came when Russell Westbrook was in New York City for Fashion Week. The two were pictured together multiple times at pickup games and Fashion Week events – Westbrook probably gave the Thunder sales pitch.

I’ve written about the Carmelo Anthony-OKC connection multiple times this summer. Earlier in the offseason there was the Pros and Cons of trading for Melo. Then an update once Bill Simmons reported Oklahoma City’s interest.

Every time I’ve said the same thing: Melo gives the Thunder a chance at taking the Warriors to seven games. The move doesn’t give OKC the edge, but it gives them both the offensive and defensive weapons to match up with the Warriors.

Here’s where it gets difficult. Enes Kanter would 100% be involved in the trade. Any trade for Melo requires at least $21.1 million in returning salary; Kanter’s near $18 million eats up a lot of that number. After everything Kanter’s done for Oklahoma City – especially sticking up for those “cats” – losing him as the Thunder gear up for another title run would hurt.

More from Thunderous Intentions

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

It’s highly likely a trade happens in the next week or two. Melo requested a trade to be made before the start of the season – it’s why he just added the Cavs and the Thunder to his list. After trading for Chris Paul the Rockets don’t have the assets to entice New York. Cleveland can offer the best package, but whether or not they went to include the Brooklyn pick is unknown.

I trust Presti, I really do. I don’t think Cleveland is giving up the Brooklyn pick, nor should they, for an aging Melo. If they don’t then the Thunder can offer the best package. Oklahoma City has a “pseudo 2018 first round pick” in the Bulls second rounder, plus other young talented players in Alex Abrines and Jerami Grant. Hearing those names hurts me too, but it’s Melo. As a third scoring option.

Please get it done Sam. Please.