The Houston Rockets will add another scoring option to their lineup by signing All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony into a one-year $2.4 million deal.
Anthony is set to join the Rockets as a free agent once the trade to the Atlanta Hawks has been completed. The Oklahoma City Thunder have not yet completed the deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, as the latter is seeking an additional trade that they would need to complete first.
It can be recalled that the Thunder has agreed to trade Anthony and a 2022 first-round pick to the Hawks in exchange for Dennis Schroder. On the other hand, the 76ers will receive Mike Muscala and trade Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot to Oklahoma City and Justin Anderson to Atlanta.
The 34-year-old Anthony is coming off a career-low season wherein he averaged 16.2 points with the Thunder. However, Anthony showed his efficiency from downtown, making 37.3 percent from the three-point area.
Rockets Wanted Anthony Long Ago
The Rockets have been interested with Anthony for a long time as they once tried to sign the 10-time All-Star as a free agent in 2014. Earlier this summer, the Rockets tried to put up a trade when Anthony decided to waive his no-trade clause.
Just this month, Rockets officials such as owner Tilman Fertitta, general manager Daryl Morey, coach Mike D'Antoni, vice president Gersson Rosas, and point guard Chris Paul met with Anthony in Las Vegas. The Rockets are coming off a major setback after losing Trevor Ariza to the Phoenix Suns and Luc Mbah a Moute to the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Rockets will only pay Anthony with the veteran's minimum of $2.4 million. The move would greatly benefit the Rockets, as it would give them an option of signing rookies such as Isaiah Hartenstein and De'Anthony Melton.
Great Signing For The Rockets
While Anthony has been on a slump lately, the former New York Knicks superstar has been a proven contributor as shown in his 24.1 points per game career average. Anthony also shot a decent percentage from three for his career, converting 44.9 percent of his shots.
Anthony will also reunite with D'Antoni, who coached him in New York. It can be brought to mind that D'Antoni and Anthony struggled to coexist in New York, which resulted in the former to resign as the Knicks coach. Anthony is expected to start at the small forward position in favor of P.J. Tucker.
Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player James Harden said that adding Anthony would be a great acquisition for the Rockets, citing that the latter has been a proven vet. The Rockets are hoping to bounce back after losing to the Golden State Warriors in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals last season.
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