Carmelo Anthony Departs Oklahoma City Thunder: Unpacking Melo’s Next Chapter and OKC’s Financial Flexibility
In a significant development that sent ripples across the NBA, the Oklahoma City Thunder and 10-time All-Star forward, Carmelo Anthony, have officially agreed to part ways. After just one season together, sources close to the situation, including ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Royce Young, confirmed the mutual decision. This pivotal move is anticipated to provide the Thunder with substantial financial relief, potentially saving the franchise over $100 million in luxury tax and salary expenditures.
The journey for Carmelo Anthony, 34, in Oklahoma City was a brief but ultimately challenging one. He arrived in OKC in September 2017 with considerable fanfare, joining forces with reigning MVP Russell Westbrook and newly acquired Paul George, forming what was optimistically dubbed a “Big Three.” The expectation was that Anthony, a prolific scorer throughout his career with the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks, would elevate the Thunder into a formidable championship contender. However, the reality on the court diverged sharply from these aspirations, as Anthony struggled to find a consistent role within the team’s offense, often appearing as a third or fourth option.
Reports indicate that both the Thunder organization and Carmelo Anthony himself acknowledged that his limited role and decreased usage did not align with the expectations or agreements established when he opted into his hefty $27.9 million contract for the 2018-19 season in June. This mutual understanding paved the way for the discussions between Melo’s agent, Leon Rose of CAA Sports, and Thunder general manager Sam Presti. Given their established strong relationship and history, both parties are committed to collaboratively determining the most suitable path for Anthony’s exit, which could involve a trade, the NBA’s stretch provision, or a combined buyout and stretch scenario. It’s important to note that Anthony still holds significant leverage through his no-trade clause, granting him veto power over any potential trade.
The financial ramifications of this parting are immense for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Faced with an astronomical projected payroll and luxury tax bill exceeding $310 million, the front office had pressing reasons to explore solutions. By utilizing the stretch provision on Anthony’s remaining $27.9 million contract, the Thunder stand to eliminate a staggering $107 million from their 2018-19 payroll and tax obligations, as detailed by ESPN. This strategic maneuver is crucial for a smaller market team like OKC, allowing them greater flexibility to manage their salary cap, potentially re-sign key players in the future, and avoid punitive luxury tax payments that would hinder long-term roster construction.
For the Thunder, acquiring Anthony from the Knicks just before the previous season represented a bold attempt to compete for a title. While the team did make the playoffs, Carmelo’s individual performance dipped to career lows, averaging 16.2 points per game on 40.4% shooting. His offensive efficiency, particularly from beyond the arc, became a point of concern, and his defensive contributions were often scrutinized. The experiment of integrating a ball-dominant forward, accustomed to being the primary offensive engine, into a system already featuring two other high-usage stars proved more complex than anticipated. This struggle to adapt and sacrifice offensive touches was a central theme throughout his single season in Oklahoma City.
Breaking: Carmelo Anthony and the Thunder will part ways sometime this summer, league sources tell @wojespn and @royceyoung.
OKC will work with Anthony’s reps and evaluate options including trade, buyout and/or stretch provision, which could save the team over $100 million. pic.twitter.com/z9ITFoXlss
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 6, 2018
The immediate aftermath of this announcement naturally shifts the focus to Carmelo Anthony’s next destination. The overarching question resonating across NBA circles is whether the 10-time NBA All-Star and four-time Olympic gold medalist will pack his bags and make a highly anticipated move to Hollywood. The allure of Los Angeles is particularly strong, given that his close friend and fellow “Banana Boat” member, LeBron James, 33, recently inked a monumental 4-year, $153.3 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. The prospect of Melo joining LeBron on a re-invigorated Lakers squad presents a tantalizing “superteam” narrative, one that could provide Anthony with an opportunity to chase an NBA championship, the one significant accolade missing from his illustrious career.
A player of Anthony’s caliber, even in a more defined, complementary role, could be an ideal fit for the Lakers. With LeBron orchestrating the offense, Melo could focus on his elite perimeter shooting, providing crucial spacing and scoring punch, particularly as a spot-up shooter or in isolation plays against second units. This role would be a stark contrast to the primary scoring responsibilities he shouldered in New York and Denver, and even the strained integration in OKC. In Los Angeles, under the guidance of LeBron James, Anthony could potentially revitalize his career, embracing a veteran presence role and contributing to a team with legitimate championship aspirations, rather than being burdened as the lead scorer.
Beyond the basketball court, a move to Los Angeles holds significant personal appeal for Carmelo. His wife, LaLa Anthony, 39, spends a considerable amount of time in Los Angeles for her professional endeavors in the entertainment industry, as well as for leisure, given that her best friend, Kim Kardashian, 37, resides there. Although Carmelo and LaLa separated in April 2017, they have consistently emphasized their commitment to remaining close to co-parent their son, Kiyan, 10. Their dedication to their son has often seen them spending quality time together, fueling speculation about a potential reconciliation.
Recent sightings have only intensified these rumors. In fact, just prior to the news of his departure from OKC, the two were seen reuniting for a family dinner with Kiyan on July 5th. Melo even shared a video on social media showcasing him with his arm around LaLa, both of them beaming with smiles. This public display of affection and togetherness has led many to believe that the couple might be on the path to rekindling their relationship for good. A permanent move to Los Angeles would undoubtedly make it easier for the family to spend more time together, offering stability and proximity for Kiyan, and strengthening the possibility of a full reunion for Carmelo and LaLa.
The appeal of Los Angeles extends beyond just family and basketball. The city’s vibrant culture, diverse opportunities, and status as a global entertainment hub could provide Carmelo Anthony with a compelling environment for his next chapter, both on and off the court. While other teams might emerge as potential suitors, offering different roles or financial incentives, the combination of professional opportunity with LeBron James and deeply personal connections in Los Angeles makes the Lakers a uniquely attractive destination for Melo.
As the Oklahoma City Thunder move forward to officially finalize Carmelo Anthony’s departure, they will turn their attention to leveraging their newfound financial flexibility. The savings accumulated from this move will empower General Manager Sam Presti to make strategic decisions regarding future free agents, re-signings, and potential trades, aiming to optimize the roster around Russell Westbrook and Paul George. For Carmelo Anthony, a storied career now faces another critical juncture. The decision he makes regarding his next team will not only impact his quest for an NBA championship but also significantly shape the final chapters of his remarkable legacy in professional basketball.
The coming weeks will undoubtedly be filled with intense speculation and negotiations as the NBA world watches to see where one of its most prominent scorers will land next. Whether it’s the bright lights of Hollywood alongside his good friend LeBron, or another team offering a clear path to a title, Carmelo Anthony’s next move is poised to be one of the most talked-about storylines of the offseason. The chapter in Oklahoma City may be closing, but the narrative of Carmelo Anthony is far from over.