The Oklahoma City Thunder are a loss away from a catastrophic and embarrassing first-round exit against the Utah Jazz. In case that the Thunder would strike out in the series, they will immediately have some urgent matters to deal with in the offseason, which would include Carmelo Anthony’s situation on the team.
Anthony was traded last year to the Thunder from the New York Knicks in exchange for Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott, and a future draft pick. In the process, the Thunder also absorbed the last two years remaining on Anthony’s five-year contract he signed with the Knicks back in 2014. Anthony is due to earn $27.92 million next season, which the Thunder would be paying him assuming that the many-time All-Star forward would pick up his option for the last year of that contract.
According to Eric Pincus during a recent episode of the Almighty Podcast, he’s been receiving some rumors regarding Anthony and his options.
“Then I’ve had other people who have suggested that he’ll opt in and then accept a trade, because he has that no-trade clause. So Sam Presti would then have to find a trade for that $28 million, which is not an easy thing to do, because you have to match salaries.”
Carmelo Anthony is 33 and it’s clear, based on his play in this season, that he’s no longer the elite player that he once was with the Denver Nuggets and the Knicks. He won’t be able to command a big contract should be opt out this summer, which is also why some of Pincus’ sources believe that Melo would eventually stay in Oklahoma City.
“Some people say there’s no way whatsoever he opts out, period. He’s opting it because he needs that money. [Carmelo Anthony] isn’t getting that money down the road [on the open market]…. Multiple people have said, including one that used to work for the Thunder, there’s no way he opts out, period.
On the other hand, there are some who think Anthony won’t mind losing money if that meant a better environment for him.
“But I’ve also spoken to some who say, ‘Carmelo has made a lot of money in his career. Happiness is something that’s more important to him,’ and it’s not even championship-chasing. He needs to live in a place, in a situation, where he’s happy.”
Either way, Anthony, who finished the 2017-18 regular season with a career-low in scoring with 16.2 points per game, certainly has a big decision to make soon.
Follow Us
Subscribe