Carmelo Anthony Will Not Be Back With The Thunder Next Season

Carmelo Anthony and The Oklahoma City Thunder have agreed to work on a buyout or possible trade that will allow both sides to part ways this summer. Both Royce Young and Adiran Wojnarowski reported on the widely expected move.

When Anthony opted-in to his $27.9 million dollar contract for the 2018-19 season, the writing was on the wall for him to find his way out of town eventually. The Thunder have an enormous $310 million dollar payroll combined with the luxury tax and finding a way to get Anthony off the roster could save them more than $100 million dollars. According to Young and Wojnarowski, the Thunder can use the stretch provision in Anthony’s contract to remove $107 million off the team’s 2018-19 payroll and tax bill. The stretch provision spreads Anthony’s salary annually onto the Thunder’s cap for $9.3 million over three years.

Add to that the fact that the partnership of Anthony, Russell Westbrook, Paul George and others didn’t exactly work out and Anthony isn’t someone you would willingly offer almost $28 million dollars at this stage of his career. It is also clear he isn’t willing to accept a reduced role, which is likely what would have happened if he was with the Thunder for next season. During the Thunder’s playoff series against the Jazz, Anthony expressed frustration with his role. “As far as being effective as that type of player, I don’t think I can be effective as that type of player. I think I was willing to accept that challenge in that role, but I think I bring a little bit more to the game as far as being more knowledgeable and what I still can do as a basketball player.”

General Manager, Sam Presti, has a good relationship with Anthony’s agent, Leon Rose. The two of them plan to work on finding a trade first, before going the buyout and stretch route.

Parting ways is best for all parties involved. The team will get to be free from the financial burden of Anthony’s contract, while he will still get all his money and be able to wind up in Los Angeles with his friend, LeBron James, or simply sign with a contender as he tries to add a NBA championship to his list of accolades.

Written by @IamJoeSports