The Brooklyn Nets are looking increasingly unlikely to sign Carmelo Anthony at this time, despite the recent wave of interest from players. The Nets recently lost Wilson Chandler to a 25-game suspension, which made Anthony and other players like Dante Cunningham, Lance Thomas and Luol Deng surface as potential candidates to take that spot.
Yet the players' enthusiasm has yet to be shared by the front office, making that signing unlikely, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
The Nets will most likely look to sign players they have worked out over the past few weeks, such as Thomas and former Minnesota Timberwolves and LA Clippers forward CJ Williams. The Nets still have two roster spots left prior to training camp, but have a 15-man roster of guaranteed contracts, though there is a slim avenue to shave some salary and consequently welcome a newcomer:
Brooklyn is planning as of now to keep Chandler on the roster through his 25-game suspension, league sources said, which would allow the team to recoup over $580,000 in unpaid salary and sign a player with a 16th roster spot for the final 20 games of his suspension. If the Nets decide to keep said player past those 20 games, they could then release Chandler to open a roster spot.
It seems Brooklyn is opting for familiarity and recent evidence rather than taking a flyer on Anthony, who would likely be playing his potential last season in the league. Both Thomas and Williams still have some years left in their legs, making them a potential asset beyond the 2019-20 season.
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