With Carmelo Anthony's departure from Oklahoma City a certainty, the only question that remains is where he will end up. According to Marc Stein of the New York Times, even that is beginning to look like a done deal with the Houston Rockets.

Stein is reporting that it will be a “surprise” if Melo doesn't end up in Houston. Stein went on to say:

“At this point, it would be a full-fledged surprise if [Carmelo] doesn't wind up with the Rockets… As of Tuesday morning, Houston was the unquestioned frontrunner.”

This makes the most sense for Anthony. He can team up with his buddy Chris Paul, and he's joining one of the better teams in the league.

For Houston, acquiring Anthony makes a ton of sense as well. After Trevor Ariza and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute bolted for greener pastures—and bigger checks—Houston now has some glaring holes on the roster.

No doubt, Melo's defense is inferior to that of Ariza or Mbah a Moute, but what he can give them offensively could mitigate his defensive flaws.

At this stage in his career, Anthony is a power forward that can stretch the floor. He can still knock down the three-ball at a great rate and he should see a ton of clean looks alongside Chris Paul and James Harden.

He could fit D'Antoni's system well—if they can overcome their past. With Paul and Harden driving and kicking out to a wide-open Anthony, Rockets fans will soon forget about the losses of Ariza and Mbah a Moute.

Anthony to Houston makes sense, and by all accounts, it's going to happen.