After Marc Stein of The New York Times reported on Sunday evening that Carmelo Anthony had been informed that his time with the Rockets is coming to end, Houston GM Daryl Morey spoke to reporters, calling that report “inaccurate.” However, even after Morey’s denial, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon writes that multiple Rockets players and coaches believe that Anthony has played his final game with the franchise.
Anthony, who has missed the Rockets’ last two games with an illness, didn’t accompany the team on its flight to Denver for Tuesday’s game against the Nuggets, sources tell MacMahon.
While Morey called speculation about Anthony’s future “unfair” and said he would expect Carmelo to play when he’s healthy, MacMahon suggests the Rockets are simply treading “delicately” out of respect for Anthony and his relationships within the team. For his part, Morey didn’t entirely shut the door on the possibility of making roster changes, acknowledging that the Rockets are evaluating everyone, as Kristie Rieken of The Associated Press relays.
“I know that we’re talking about everything,” Morey said before Sunday’s win over Indiana. “We’re a team trying to win the championship and we’re 4-7 and we’re not in a good place so we’re looking at everything. We’re looking at all aspects right now.”
One source tells MacMahon that both the Rockets and Anthony entered their offseason agreement “with eyes wide open,” recognizing that if things didn’t work out, they could pull the plug. Things haven’t exactly worked out so far — Houston has a -9.0 net rating with Carmelo on the court, compared to +2.1 when he sits.
If the Rockets do officially release Anthony, expect two-way player Gary Clark to fill his spot on the 15-man roster, says MacMahon. The undrafted rookie has become a Mike D’Antoni favorite, earning an increased role as of late (25.7 MPG in his last five games). The Rockets have a +1.1 net rating when Clark plays, compared to -5.8 when he’s on the bench.
Is this it for Melo or does he land somewhere else?
I think he does. I wouldn’t be shocked if he ended up in Miami. He is still a good scorer and I think pat riley and coach Eric s(forgot spelling) would force him to get into shape because they are a running team.
I think this might be it for him. He can’t contribute to a contender and shouldn’t be played ahead of young players on a developing team.
Also wouldn’t be shocked with lakers, Mavericks, Trail Blazers, and Pelicans.
Actually the Blazers May make sense.
I’ve been saying a couple years now that they need a wing. Would it be worth the gamble to the Blazers chemistry to bring in Carmelo? I say yes… the Blazers have done nothing and won’t do anything substantial unless they do something like bring in a premium wing player. Is Carmelo that guy? One way to find out.
I think he isn’t a premium wing player anymore. I just think he adds a level of scoring from the 3 or 4 that they don’t have.
Yeah you’re right he’s not the man anymore, but can he still score in bunches and be effective option during the closeout moments of a playoff game?
Maybe worth the gamble for a team like the Blazers or Raptors. Teams that always make the playoffs and just need to get over the hump somehow.
The idea that the Raptors need Carmelo to “get over the hump” is laughable. They got Kawhi for that.
He’s only shooting 32% from the floor and can’t play defense. He has it in his mind he’s still a starter. He was a problem in Denver, New York, OKC, and Houston. I agree he hurts a playoff team and wants to start in front of the young guys on the nonplayoff teams. Some guys won’t retire.
As a Blazers fan I thought getting Melo would be a good addition before he ended up going to OKC. But with the Blazers at 10-3 this year and being top 5 in both offensive and defensive efficiency, there’s not much he can do to make the offense better, and he would only make the defense much worse. I’ll gladly pass on Carmelo.
He could be a half court scorer for a few teams that need it
How’s the BIG3 sound?
Omg. Spot on. Lol
I think the better question is should he get another contract? Feel like some dumb team will sign him
Melo should go to PHX. Coach Igor could run the offense through him since he keeps running Ryan Anderson out there for twenty+ minutes a game.
They already have a trash volume scorer with no defense in booker dont think they need another besides him.
He’s had two horrible coaches in Donovan and D’Antoni. Detroit would be a great destination for him, Casey would make good use of him alongside Griffin.
Casey stinks worst of all. Why else would he end up with Pistons? Terrible.
The Pistons need a small forward who can score alongside Griffin and Drummond.
Exactly what they need. An inefficient shooter who doesn’t play defence. Isn’t that what everyteam needs? I don’t get all the hate?
Pistons prob could use a fake leader to distract from Griffin’s leadership style, which may be in itself easily distracted and not effective for a campaign. I am bullish on Griffin (& DET) but he does have flaws. He may confuse teammates trying to fit in; some leaders are like that.
Anyway… Not sure if Melo is the answer here but it sure makes sense from Melo’s perspective. Right now he has a dead-in-the-water ailment, out 2 games so far.
Why does the Nba hate them Syracuse boy’s
Carmelo is Dominique Wilkins without the Joie de vivre. New Orleans (no offense Pelican people) might work. Portland needs a wing scorer but doesn’t need a dose of cancer thrown in. Dallas is rebuilding and Carmelo is usually occupied with tearing down. Anthony is no longer a starter, but he simply hasn’t gotten the news.
You don’t send a player home 10 games into a season because you’re trying to figure how his role (particularly when they were clear on his role from the start and he indicated he accepted it) or because of a shooting slump or because of a lack of effort on defense. You do it to protect team chemistry.
Melo has some friends in that locker room, but he’s notorious for not adhering to the team script, on either side of the ball. I could see it being something that rubs veteran players the wrong way in light of his current role. Particularly because he seems oblivious to it.
spurs?