Carmelo Anthony conundrum: Bulls offer potential trade partner for OKC Thunder
The OKC Thunder prefer to trade Carmelo Anthony instead of using the stretch provision. One team they should be contacting are the Chicago Bulls.
Before the OKC Thunder can move forward with filling out the roster, they must do something with Carmelo Anthony. Specifically that contract of $27.9-million-dollar is going to be tough to move. One lure is it’s an expiring deal.
Obviously, the OKC Thunder prefer to trade Melo instead of stretching or buying him out. The Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat have been vigorously mentioned as potential suitors.
But, what about the Chicago Bulls?
Media outlets, numerous podcasts and publications emphasize that Melo has a no-trade clause. However, his no-trade clause has less power than it previously had because his contract is expiring. If Oklahoma City can convince the Bulls to take Melo’s contact in exchange for a future picks without any returning salary, the Thunder can save over $144-million-dollars.
Of course there are two big road blocks. OKC need to offer enough incentive for the Bulls to take Melo’s contract. Historically, GM Sam Presti rarely trades future draft picks. He avoids sacrificing the future to benefit the present but OKC are in win-now mode. With Paul George and Russell Westbrook signed until 2022-23, the Thunder have a four year window to win a chip. Future first round picks mean less if teams are trying to win now.
Why Chicago would do it
A combination of a 2022 unprotected first round pick and two second round picks (2020,2021) is a tidy haul for an expiring deal. The key is to trade it WITHOUT protections. This is very rare, but given the magnitude of the salary hit, is fair. The 2022 draft stands to be the first time the one and done rule is no longer allowing teams to select high school players. It will be the deepest draft in some time.
Chicago have $81.2-million-dollars (not including non-guaranteed contracts) to allocated salary. So, absorbing Melo’s contract raises Chicago’s salary floor to approximately $109-million-dollars. Anthony’s contract is expiring and comes off the books at the end of the year. Melo will command a buyout thus the Bulls could have even more money post-transaction.
Why OKC do it
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
Saving $144-million-dollars in luxury tax would be one of the biggest accomplishments besides signing PG13 this summer. OKC’s roster at the minute is the most expensive in NBA history. Moving Melo brings the Thunder’s tax bill to approximately $15.7-million-dollars in what would be an amazing turn around.
The loss of three picks is a steep loss but its a fair price to pay. If Oklahoma City could pick up Bobby Portis in the process that will be a huge win. Portis is an offensive minded big whose only due 2.4-million-dollars this season. This would push OKC’s bill back out to roughly 27.6-million-dollars but he would fit nicely next to Jerami Grant and Nerlens Noel.
Final Take
OKC have a real shot at pulling this off if they are willing to part with picks. Oklahoma City are in win-now mode and hunting for their first chip. First round picks mean less to a team trying to win as opposed to a rebuilding one.
The Chicago Bulls are in the opposite situation. Bulls management have stressed they are aiming for free agency 2019. Thus one year contracts make sense. A rebuilding franchise is seeking future assets and OKC offer just that.
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Trying to acquire Portis is a long shot. I can’t see the Bulls giving him up as he shows promise. This scenario isn’t far fetched and one OKC fans hope Presti is exploring.
Carmelo Anthony conundrum: Bulls offer potential trade partner for OKC Thunder