If Carmelo Anthony’s stalling NBA career ever takes off again, it probably won’t be with the Houston Rockets.
Anthony, 34, hasn’t been away from the team for the last two games with what has been described as an “illness,” but he isn’t really sick and Houston is just attempting to find a way to break ties with him in a delicate manner.
While Carmelo Anthony is absent with an illness tonight against the Spurs, the Rockets and Anthony are discussing his role and how they might still be able to proceed together for the rest of the season, league sources tell ESPN. Talks are fluid.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 11, 2018
When asked about the situation, Rockets GM Daryl Morey said the club was trying “to figure out … everything.”
And, though the team has denied they will be waiving the 10-time All-Star outright, players and coaches confirmed to ESPN that they think Melo has played his final game as Rocket.
The Rockets have a ton of issues outside of Anthony, but ultimately it sounds as if he was just not a good fit with the team and could not accept the role they wanted him to play.
The Rockets hoped Melo could be like the Showtime Lakers’ Bob McAdoo. He was more like the Memphis Grizzlies’ Allen Iverson.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) November 12, 2018
Ultimately, Mike D’Antoni thinks Gary Clark is a better fit as a role player for the Rockets than Melo. Playing a rookie on a 2-way deal (for now) over a proud 10-time All-Star is a problem. So Melo will move on.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) November 12, 2018
In 10 games with Houston, Anthony averaged 13.4 points and 5.4 rebounds while coming off the bench. In his previous 15 seasons in the NBA, he was a starter in every game in which he played.
If Anthony is let go, which could happen as soon as Monday, it’s possible he may look to join his friend LeBron James in Los Angeles. It’s also possible his time in the NBA could be done unless he accepts a reduced role and possibly playing for a non-contender.
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