It looks like the light at the end of the tunnel for Carmelo Anthony and the Oklahoma City Thunder is here because his tenure with the team is essentially over.
OKC has found a trade partner for his services in a three-team deal involving the Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers, which will yield the Thunder the likes of Dennis Schroder and Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot in exchange for sending Carmelo Anthony to ATL. The Hawks are slated to waive ‘Melo and acquire Justin Anderson from Philly, as well as Top-20 protected 2022 draft pick from Oklahoma City. Lastly, Mike Muscala will be going to the Sixers.
Oklahoma City has agreed to trade Carmelo Anthony and a protected 2022 first-round pick to Atlanta for point guard Dennis Schroder and Mike Muscala, league sources tell ESPN. Anthony will be waived, and he will join team of his choice. Rockets are frontrunner.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 19, 2018
Tremendous save for OKC: Thunder get massive salary and luxury tax savings — nearly $100M — w/o stretching Anthony's $28M. That deal would've left $9M-plus on books next three years, so Schroder $15.5M per year becomes bargain — and an asset that could stay or be traded again.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 19, 2018
The pick the Thunder are sending the Hawks is 2022 lottery protected first rounder (1-14). If it doesn’t convey, it’ll become two second rounders.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) July 19, 2018
To recap three-team trade between Hawks, Thunder and 76ers: Carmelo Anthony and Justin Anderson to Hawks. Anthony bought out. Mike Muscala to 76ers. Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot to Thunder.
— Chris Vivlamore (@CVivlamoreAJC) July 19, 2018
Dennis Schröder’s favorite player/idol/role model: Russ Westbrook. This should be interesting.
— Ric Bucher (@RicBucher) July 19, 2018
In what seems like a win-win for everyone except ATL, the deal guarantees Anthony secured the full $27.9M bag when it’s all said and done, paving the way for him signing to a title contender like the Houston Rockets.
The Thunder also got a bit stronger in the deal, considering they now have Schroder, a proven guard that can play either alongside Russell Westbrook or off the bench.
Can Carmelo prove himself, yet again, to be the dominant player he once used to be next season or his disgruntled attitude going to ruin the Rockets season?