Odds Say Carmelo Anthony Unlikely to Appear in an NBA Game This Season
- Carmelo Anthony was released by Rockets just 10 games into the 2018-19 season
- +300 odds that the 10-time All-Star plays a single minute this year
- Lakers, Pistons could be potential landing spots for Melo
The 2019-20 NBA regular season tips off on Tuesday (Oct. 22) and Carmelo Anthony still finds himself searching for a team to sign with.
Anthony has not had a taste of NBA action since the Houston Rockets severed ties with the 10-time All-Star just 10 games into last season.
While some teams have showed interest, the latest odds released suggest Anthony won’t play a game this season, setting the price at -500. The other side of the prop is paying +300 if Melo does step onto an NBA court at any point this season.
Is it worth taking a chance on Anthony or is his career over?
Will Carmelo Play In The NBA This Season?
| Result | Odds |
|---|---|
| Yes | +300 |
| No | -500 |
* Odds taken October 21.
Rumors surfaced last month that the Brooklyn Nets showed some interest in Anthony, but decided to move in another direction. Adding Anthony as a secondary scorer would have made sense for the Nets, and with Brooklyn now out of the picture, the former New York Knick is back to square one.
In his prime, Anthony was an elite scorer but after long runs in Denver and New York, the 35-year-old had sour stints in Oklahoma City and Houston where he averaged well below career bests in points.
Carmelo Anthony 2018-19 Stats
| Year | Games Played | PPG | RPG | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 10 | 13.4 | 5.4 | 40.5% |
During the 2018-19 season, Anthony played just 10 games — starting two during that stretch — and averaged 13.4 PPG and 40.5% from field-goal range before being released.
“You’re telling me that I can’t make a 9-10 man rotation on this team? It’s deeper than basketball,” Anthony told Stephen A. Smith in an exclusive interview which aired in August. “I was on a 10-game trial period.”
https://twitter.com/TheHoopCentral/status/1185244896929574913
Anthony’s best season came in 2012-13 when he averaged 28.7 PPG and led the NBA in scoring.
Anthony’s performance last year has most certainly scared away some NBA teams, including the Nets. But on skill alone, Anthony should be on an NBA team this season — even if it means coming off the bench.
There have been concerns on whether or not Anthony is able to play defense, which is another reason teams have shied away from signing him.
Teams That May Take a Shot On Melo
Anthony’s most-likely landing spots are (1) at the back end of roster that fancies itself one bench-scorer away from title contention or (2) a bubble team needs help to make a playoff push.
The Detroit Pistons were 41-41 a year ago and will likely be in the playoff race in the Eastern Conference. Anthony would be a nice addition to the Pistons alongside Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond.
If you’re looking at teams in the West, the Lakers could use depth off the bench to help take some of the scoring pressure of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Anthony wants to play and still has game left. It’s not a matter if he’ll play, but a matter of when a team will sign him this season, in my view. I see good value at +300.
Pick: Yes (+300)
Angelo Montilla is a writer, visual design instructor and graphic designer based on the East Coast. As a journalism graduate, his experience in the media industry spans more than 15 years and includes work with Nation Network, SportsBreak, Featurd, Hockey Writers and the Windsor Star.
