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Carmelo Anthony didn't have the year that anyone was hoping for with the Oklahoma City Thunder and there are a lot of questions about what will happen to him next.
During the exit interviews, Anthony made one thing clear, though — he won't be coming off the bench.
“I’m not sacrificing no bench role. That’s out of the question. As far as sacrificing—I don’t even like to talk about finances and the economics of the game of basketball. When that time comes, that time will come. If and when we have to sit down and talk about what’s the future, and ideas and situations, then, that time will come. I honestly don’t even feel comfortable sitting here talking about money and basketball.”
As players have gotten older they are sometimes forced to move into a new role. Dwyane Wade who was drafted in the same class as Anthony accepted his new role off the bench, and seemed to thrive in it.
For Anthony though, the big question is what exactly are the Thunder going to do with him. There have been rumors swirling that they would want to trade him, but with the contract he has and his production down that might be a hard task.
Thunder general manager Sam Presti actually appreciates Anthony's comments and likes that he was at least honest with how he is feeling.
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Presti on Melo: “He had to make a conscious decision to come here. I think he knew it was going to be a big transition and I give him an enormous amount of credit for being two feet in.”
— Erik Horne (@ErikkHorne) May 2, 2018
Presti said he respects Melo’s honesty (exit interviews), said they’ll sit down face-to-face and figure out what’s important to both parties. Called Melo a “total pro” during the season.
— Erik Horne (@ErikkHorne) May 2, 2018
Presti on Melo: “He had to make a conscious decision to come here. I think he knew it was going to be a big transition and I give him an enormous amount of credit for being two feet in.”
— Erik Horne (@ErikkHorne) May 2, 2018
It was a big change for Melo and he is a used to being the guy who has the ball in his hands most of the time. With Russell Westbrook and Paul George on the team, the touches just weren't always there.
