By all accounts, Carmelo Anthony is a future Hall of Famer. A 10-time All-Star, a former scoring champion, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and Team USA’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder, Melo is destined for Springfield one day.
But for now, he can’t seem to stay in one city for more than a few months, if that. On Monday it was reported that Anthony will be traded from Houston to Chicago, but he won’t suit up for the Bulls. He’ll either be waived or dealt before the NBA trade deadline on February 7. This is just one small part of a carousel that’s seen Melo seemingly join half the league in less than a two-year span. Here’s a recap:
April 2017 (New York):
Anthony’s seventh season with the Knicks is his last, as he averages 22.4 points per game and makes an eighth straight All-Star game. New York finishes 31-51 and during the offseason, after conflicts with team president Phil Jackson, requests a trade.
September 2017 (Oklahoma City):
On September 25 his request is granted, as he goes to the Thunder for Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott and a second-round pick. In his lone season with OKC he averages a career-low 16.2 points per game as he played a lesser role on the Russell Westbrook and Paul George-led Thunder.
July 2018 (Atlanta):
This is where the ride really begins. As a cost-cutting move the Thunder deals Anthony and his $25.5 million contract for 2018-19 to Atlanta in a three-team deal, saving OKC tens of millions in luxury tax payments. The deal went through on July 25 – five days later, the Hawks bought out his contract and Melo cleared waivers.
August 2018 (Houston):
A few weeks after being bought out, Anthony signed a one-year veteran’s minimum deal to go to the Rockets, coached by former Knicks head man Mike D’Antoni. He played ten games before general manager Daryl Morey said the team and Anthony were “parting ways”.
January 2019 (Chicago):
On Monday the deal with the Bulls was reported, though don’t go buying your Bulls #7 jersey. He will be traded or go on waivers once again by February 7, making his time in Chicago only slightly longer than his Hawks tenure.
February 2019 (??):
We don’t know where Melo will wind up next – perhaps with the LeBron James and the Lakers, who have been rumored to show interest in the 34-year-old? Regardless, barring a return to one of the teams listed above (or his original squad, Denver – don’t hold your breath there) Anthony will have, for at least a brief period of time, been a member of six different organizations in less than two calendar years.
