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Carmelo Anthony watch: A royal answer to a taxing problem

By Tamberlyn Richardson

LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 8: Vlade Divac and owner of the Sacramento Kings, Vivek Ranadivé, talk before a preseason game between the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers on October 8, 2017 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 8: Vlade Divac and owner of the Sacramento Kings, Vivek Ranadivé, talk before a preseason game between the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers on October 8, 2017 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Carmelo Anthony trade options
HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 17: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks and the Eastern Conference is guarded by Zach Randolph #50, James Harden #13 and Tony Parker #9 of the Western Conference in the first quarter during the 2013 NBA All-Star game at the Toyota Center on February 17, 2013 in Houston, Texas.  (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Adding another contract to lessen luxury tax:

Clearly the onus is on sending out Carmelo Anthony to get his $27.9M off the books. But, why not clear up some more space and get rid of another contract in the process particularly one which hasn’t proven to provide much in the way of production.

Specifically, the Dakari Johnson option B makes a ton of sense for the Thunder. Although it’s not a big contract sending him to the Kings frees up a spot on the roster to add another body and there are potentially players from the Summer League who might get some minutes in the rotation, or fit OKC’s style better. Johnson appeared in 31 games this past season averaging 5.6 minutes in those games. He started six times filling in for Steven Adams when he was out injured.

ZBo still a viable producer:

Since Enes Kanter exited for New York the Thunder have struggled to find a consistent performer off the bench. Jerami Grant delivered numbers as the season progressed, but it’s likely he moves into the starting lineup to replace Anthony. Patrick Patterson was expected to provide defensive prowess coupled with stretching the floor. And, while 2Pat improved as the season progressed (an annual trend) his numbers simply didn’t jump off the page.

Despite every NBA player knowing Randolph is headed in one direction on the court they still can’t stop the forward from his patented move. His vertical is laughable, yet while opponents giggle, Randolph continues to produce and get the last laugh. His 14.5 points per game led the Kings and unlike Patterson he remains a solid rebounder (6.7 per game). Moreover he’s adept at handling the ball, posting 2.2 assists per game.

Randolph is the guy who everyone compares to the old guy playing at the YMCA still balling and schooling youngsters well into his 50s. This may be a young man’s game, but in ZBo’s case his game doesn’t age.

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