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Three Carmelo Anthony trade destinations OKC Thunder should consider

By Lawrence George

MIAMI, FL - APRIL 09: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder warms up before the game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on April 9, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by B51/Mark Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Carmelo Anthony
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 09: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder warms up before the game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on April 9, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by B51/Mark Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Carmelo Anthony /
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Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony /

With Paul George and Jerami Grant re-signed OKC Thunder next priority is finding a trade partner for Carmelo Anthony.

Carmelo Anthony publicly criticized his role in last years exit interview with the OKC Thunder. With his unwillingness to accept a reduced role or come off the bench, the Thunder must explore every possible scenario to trade him.

With Paul George‘s free agency decision dominating headlines, its easy to forget the OKC Thunder have a Carmelo Anthony problem. At his exit interview last season, Melo expressed frustration with his reduced role as a catch and shoot player and accused the Thunder of “not having a plan”. This kind of open criticism is unusual for a franchise that prides itself on privacy and the potential effects on OKC’s locker room could be disastrous. If Melo is bent on starting but not fulfilling his role as a perimeter sniper, the Thunder need to trade him.

However, moving Anthony won’t be easy.

Melo is due a whopping 27.9 million dollars this season with few teams possessing cap space. The rapid salary cap spike from 2016 has locked many teams into multiple years of bad salary. As it stands, only a handful of teams have room, but will only accept salary dumps if they come with a young player or pick(s).

Anthony is also coming off his worst season as a pro, averaging career lows in points (16.2), field goal percentage (40) and free throw percentage (76). His rapid decline is due largely to his waning athleticism and loss of first step. Anthony was blocked at the rim with regularity and struggled to drive past opposing bigs.

Last but not least, he possesses a no-trade clause. Melo wants to win a championship and will only accept trades to contenders. Oklahoma City will need to be savvy to find one of the greatest scorers in NBA history a home.

Lets take a look at three potential suitors.

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