Melo to the Blazers? Odds What’s Next for Anthony After Reports of Rockets Moving On
- Rockets reportedly ready to part ways with Carmelo Anthony
- Where does ‘Melo resurface?
- Early odds and predictions on Anthony’s next move
If Carmelo Anthony’s current career was A Tribe Called Quest song, it would have to be Keep it Movin’.
After just 10 games, reports are that ‘Melo’s days as a Houston Rocket are over. Remember the faux admiration party Anthony was given for his days as a member of the Hawks, not even playing a single game?
Carmelo Anthony never lost a game, had zero missed a shot, and never turned the ball over for the Atlanta Hawks
Carmelo is closing the greatest chapter of his career as he now prepares to be the 11th man on the Houston Rockets and not play in the NBA Playoffs pic.twitter.com/odWWJTe8Pl
— Barstool Sports (@Barstoolvideoss) August 8, 2018
That’s not happening here.
Unfortunately, like last season with a faulty Thunder squad, Anthony is taking the fall for a Rockets team that, right now, frankly sucks across the board. While GM Daryl Morey tried to come to his defense, he almost made it worse.
Last year’s top seed in the conference, Houston is just 4-7 and a shell of the former unit that came within a win of defeating the Warriors for a trip to the Finals.
Anthony, averaging a career low 13.4 points on 40.5% shooting, has been away from the team the last two games with what the team is calling an ‘illness’.
And while it hasn’t been confirmed, teammates talking in past tense sure sounds like he’s already gone.
Of course, we need to break out the crystal ball, and take a stab at some never-too-early-odds.
Odds on What Happens to Carmelo Anthony
| Result | SBD’s Odds |
|---|---|
| Released by End of November | 1/9 |
| Released before End of 2018 | 1/19 |
| Remains with Rockets for Season | 49/1 |
| Released & Signs with Another Team | 1/99 |
Analysis: It’s a virtual mortal lock Anthony not only gets released by the Rockets, but that the 34-year-old will resurface with another team this season. The only unknown is when.
It could very well happen as you’re eating your lunch this afternoon, well before the Rockets’ 9pm PT tipoff against the Nuggets.
Despite the NBA talent pool deeper than ever, GMs across the league will always take a flier on an NBA veteran in the hopes of tapping into one last hurrah.
Hey, speaking of which …
If Anthony is Released, Where Will He Go?
| Team | SBD’s Odds |
|---|---|
| Portland Trail Blazers | 3/1 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 4/1 |
| Denver Nuggets | 6/1 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 6/1 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 9/1 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 15/1 |
| Miami Heat | 17/1 |
| Golden State Warriors | 20/1 |
Analysis: Now this is a great one. It’s not often that a top-20 scorer in NBA history (19th all-time with 25,551 points) is in the clearance section.
There are clearly flaws to his game, and it’s going to have to take a team with both the creativity and style to integrate Anthony into their system. And the player is going to have to find a better version of himself too.
Carmelo Anthony is averaging 1.41 points per possession when posting up so far this season. That ranks the BEST among all players in the NBA. But Mike D'Antoni is reluctant to use him on this play type. A new home could be helpful.
More details: https://t.co/QCZRKMw1Y6 #Rockets pic.twitter.com/pySg5Z5Ihn
— Bryan Kalbrosky (@BryanKalbrosky) November 11, 2018
‘Melo is currently averaging career lows in scoring, field goal attempts, minutes, free throw attempts, FT percentage, and assists.
Melo gave up $2.4 million to sign with the Rockets.
Rockets will waive Melo and pay him $2.4 million.
A team will sign Melo to a contract that will pay about $2 million for the rest of the season.
Carmelo Anthony will GAIN $2 MILLION this year.
A FINESSE ??? til the end pic.twitter.com/F1gtaPgl7Q
— Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) November 11, 2018
Pick: If we’re talking best fits, the Blazers could really use another scorer to compliment an improved second unit in Rip City and a situational closer with Dame and McCollum. A two-seed is up for grabs in the West, and not having any real cap space means this is the kind of shopping Portland needs to do.
Carmelo Anthony should go to the Portland Trail Blazers! Anyone that has half of a jump shot seems to THRIVE there.
Shabazz Napier and Nick Stauskas have damn near revived their career in Portland!
Seth Curry told me, “it’s a free offense,” after their game in Indy.
— Ben Stinar (@BenStinar) November 11, 2018
Ditto in New Orleans, where he’d orbit Anthony Davis and get plenty of great looks on offense and outstanding help side assists on defense.
And what about going full circle in the Mile High City? After forcing his way out of Denver in 2010, this edition of the Nuggets may need a savvy vet to stabilize the core of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Gary Harris.
If all is forgiven, maybe it is unfinished business and a return isn’t far-fetched.
Possible Carmelo Anthony reunions:
– LeBron (Lakers)
– Durant (Warriors)
– Amare (BIG3)
– Jimmer (China) pic.twitter.com/X0TJJgeIUN— David Astramskas (@redapples) November 11, 2018
Banana boat brother LeBron James could be enticing, especially since the Lakers were in pursuit of Anthony in the summer. But he’d face the same issues in LA as he did in OKC and Houston, and be well down the depth chart of players getting shots on that team.
I am hearing the @Sixers are kicking the tires on the idea of claiming @carmeloanthony off waivers if the @HoustonRockets let him go. Definite need for Philly, with @dariosaric gone and @mikemuscala the only other option at the 4 right now.
— Chris Sheridan (@sheridanhoops) November 12, 2018
He makes great sense on the Bucks and the Sixers, two teams whose offense bogs down at times, and having that player to work through during those stretches could really help.
With the blockbuster deal that the 76ers just pulled off, Anthony would slide into a fourth wheel position, which may actually best suit his current skill set.
Statistical Projections for Anthony
| Bet | Current | SBD’s Over/under |
|---|---|---|
| Points per Game in 2018 | 13.4 | 16.5 |
| Field goal % in 2018 | 40.5 | 44.5 |
| Minutes per Game in 2018 | 29.4 | 33.1 |
| FG attempts per Game in 2018 | 12.1 | 14.5 |
| NBA seasons played, career | 16 | 16.5 |
Analysis: Getting refreshed and in a presumably better situation should give Anthony an uptick in production.
But if it doesn’t pan out a third straight time on a third different team? We’re looking at the rapidly approaching near end of what’s been a mostly (statistically) great career.
Which leads us to the big one.
Will Carmelo Anthony Ever Be an NBA Champion?
| Will Anthony Win an NBA Championship | SBD’s Odds |
|---|---|
| YES | 9/1 |
| NO | 1/9 |
It all depends on the situation. If ‘Melo inks a veteran’s minimum with the Golden State Warriors (don’t think they aren’t lurking – they always are!), he is almost assured a spot in the Finals.
He won’t have to do much, rather than spot duty in a reserve role, filling in minutes while the stars rest throughout the game.
Anywhere else? I don’t see it happening. And even then, a lot still has to break right to get that ring.
Understand that if this is the end, at his peak, based on ability, there weren’t 10 guys better at the game of basketball than Carmelo Anthony ? Before coaches, media and fans acted like the new NBA was a new sport for Melo, he was one of the most feared offensive forces ever. pic.twitter.com/L5EGp44Xsd
— Ball Don't Stop (@balldontstop) November 11, 2018
There was a time when Anthony was considered good enough to carry a team to a title. Now? He’s had two stops where you can argue he can’t even be the third best player on a title team.
If he doesn’t win a title, his will be one of the NBA’s most unfulfilled Hall-of-Fame careers.
Having worked in and around sports since 1997, Eric is truly a knowledgeable expert. The two-time journalism grad specializes in all things NBA and NFL. From TSN.ca to CTV's Olympic Broadcast Consortium, Eric's work has appeared in local and national publications alike.
