Reports out of New York via Mark Stein indicate Carmelo Anthony will opt in to final year of OKC Thunder contract.
Since season end OKC Thunder fans have been waiting for this date to discover Carmelo Anthony’s plans. The deadline for Anthony to opt into or out of his final year is tonight at midnight. In truth, it wasn’t much of a mystery since Anthony’s final year is worth close to $28 million dollars ($27,928,140).
Stein’s article in the New York Times cites our favorite ‘inside sources’ as stating Anthony will let the midnight Eastern deadline pass to opt in. Assuming that’s how it works because in the scenario he opts in it’s not like he has to verify it.
"Carmelo Anthony does not intend to opt out of his current contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to a person familiar with Anthony’s decision."
Just remember: Every last one of us would do what exactly what Carmelo Anthony is doing and take the cash if we were in his shoes. Do not blame the man.
— Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk) June 22, 2018
Although Anthony can still light it up on any given night, it’s unlikely any team would extend an offer in the $28 million range for one year let alone multiple. So, Melo opting in shouldn’t be held against him.
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Remove the absurdity of the amount NBA players make and equate it to the common man. NBA players only have a limited number of years to play. Therefore, they try to make the most they can during their career and in particular during their prime.
The next contract Carmelo Anthony signs will likely be his final contract. It will be significantly less than any he has put pen to over his 15 seasons.
What happens next?
Moving forward, it’s also definitive Carmelo Anthony will not be sporting an OKC Thunder jersey next season. This became clear in Sam Presti’s post NBA Draft presser. Presti noted management has been active in discussions with Melo regarding the contract and his options.
The OKC Thunder GM clarified they were trying to help him “make the most informed decision possible”. Reading between the lines, this meant Presti told Anthony’s agent “the Thunder are NOT going to keep Melo in OKC.
Sam Presti on the status of @carmeloanthony and his future with the #Thunder. pic.twitter.com/QHo1tRD7NV
— Dylan Buckingham (@DylanBuckingham) June 22, 2018
Rylan Stiles detailed the Sam Presti post draft presser which touched on several other key offseason situations. You can check out that article in it’s entirety via the blue button below. ‘
Next: Sam Presti talks about the offseason ahead
The next steps for Carmelo Anthony and the OKC Thunder will be how they remove him from the team. Those options could include a trade, waiving the star or reaching a buyout. Although many were hoping the OK3 would be a realistic ‘Big 3’ they failed to live up to what in hindsight was probably unrealistic expectations. Still, for those who view the glass half full, there will always be the nagging question of – what if Andre Roberson didn’t get injured.