Carmelo Anthony Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Tracy McGrady Says Carmelo Anthony Should Retire

November 14th, 2018 at 8:37pm CST by clarkcrum

As Carmelo Anthony continues to sit out with what the Rockets call an illness, one prominent former player thinks that Anthony should call it quits and retire from the NBA. Seven-time NBA All-Star Tracy McGrady, speaking while appearing on Tuesday’s edition of ESPN’s The Jump, said:

“You know what? I honestly think Melo should retire, I really do… I don’t want him to go through another situation like this, and people are just pouring negativity on this man’s legacy. I really think, because it hasn’t worked out the last two teams, just go ahead and — you have a Hall of Fame career — just go ahead and let it go.”

Rumors have swirled about Anthony’s status with the Rockets as he continues to miss games, with a report on Sunday suggesting that his tenure with Houston is expected to come to an end very soon.

Today, we relayed that the Heat could be an option for Anthony should the Rockets move on from him, and his representatives are sure to still be exploring all possible destinations. The Sixers and Lakers have also been mentioned, but reports suggest neither option is very likely.

Heat Notes: Wade, Waiters, Carmelo

November 14th, 2018 at 3:56pm CST by Luke Adams

Monday’s loss to Philadelphia was the Heat‘s third straight defeat on their home court, dropping the team’s overall record to 5-8. In the wake of that game, Ethan J. Skolnick of HeatBeatMiami.com spoke to one Heat official who admitted, “We need a trade. Badly.”

However, as Skolnick points out, there’s not really a great trade out there for Miami, especially that Jimmy Butler is now a member of the Sixers. And without a deal that shake things up, it looks like the Heat may be stuck in Eastern Conference purgatory, likely to finish between sixth and ninth in the standings.

As the Heat weigh how to turn things around after a slow start and how to add a difference-making player, let’s round up a few more notes out of Miami…

Dwyane Wade remains away from the team as he spends time with his wife and their newborn daughter, per Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press. The veteran guard will miss the team’s upcoming games vs. Brooklyn, Indiana, and the Lakers and then will make a decision from there, says Reynolds. “We’re totally fine with it,” head coach Erik Spoelstra said.
Now that Dion Waiters has missed Miami’s first 13 games, he has officially lost out on the $1.2MM bonus he would’ve earned if he had played in 70 contests this season, tweets cap expert Albert Nahmad. That bonus was considered an unlikely incentive since Waiters didn’t play 70 games last year either, so his cap hit will remain unchanged.
With Carmelo Anthony‘s future in Houston up in the air, rumors have been swirling about the possibility of Carmelo landing in South Beach. Anthony’s reps discussed a possible deal with the Heat in the summer, and league executives who spoke to Sean Deveney of The Sporting News believes there could still be a fit there. ESPN’s Marc J. Spears also cited the Heat as a potential suitor for Anthony during an appearance on The Jump (hat tip to Anthony Irwin of Silver Screen & Roll). Dave Hyde of The Sun Sentinel isn’t on board with the idea.

Western Notes: Lowry, Covington, Rockets

November 13th, 2018 at 10:09pm CST by ChrisCrouse

The Jazz saw Gordon Hayward walk away after the 2016/17 campaign but he wasn’t the only star the team had an eye on that offseason. Utah spoke with Kyle Lowry‘s representatives during the summer of 2017 and the organization felt confident that it could sign Lowry, sources tell Andy Larsen and Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune.

The front office decided to pull out of the Lowry sweepstakes because signing the point guard would have required the team to use the cap space it had planned to use for Hayward. Lowry ended up re-signing with Toronto on a three-year pact.

Here’s more from the Western Conference:

The Jazz also had interest in Otto Porter and Danilo Gallinari during the 2017 offseason, Larsen and Walden detail in the same piece. Both players signed with other teams while Utah was waiting on Hayward’s decision.
One league executive tells Marc Stein of The New York Times that he expects Robert Covington and Dario Saric to mesh well with Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. Stein adds that the Timberwolves would have likely been better off long-term with the Josh Richardson offer from Miami.
With Carmelo Anthony‘s future in Houston up in the air, Kelly Iko of The Athletic revisits the decision to sign him in the first place, citing sources who say that there were players and members of the Rockets organization who were “wary of what his arrival would bring.”

Lakers Rumors: LeBron, Chandler, Ingram, Carmelo

November 13th, 2018 at 11:06am CST by Luke Adams

The Lakers lost their first three games to begin LeBron James‘ tenure in Los Angeles, and fell to 4-6 after an embarrassing home loss to Toronto last Sunday. The team has since rebounded, winning three in a row to move above .500 for the first time this season and allowing James to exhale a bit. Speaking to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, the four-time MVP admitted that he had some trying moments in his early days as a Laker.

“I haven’t changed anything outwardly, but you know me. You know how I am. I almost cracked [last week]. I had to sit back and remind myself, ‘[Expletive], you knew what you were getting yourself into,'” James told Haynes with a laugh over the weekend. “This process has been good for me. I just have to continue being patient.”

The last week hasn’t exactly been the toughest stretch of the Lakers’ 2018/19 schedule — the club’s three most recent wins came against the Timberwolves, Kings, and Hawks. Still, LeBron is looking more comfortable with his new teammates and the recent arrival of Tyson Chandler has clearly had a positive impact on the organization, as head coach Luke Walton acknowledges.

“[Chandler]’s been big,” Walton said, per Haynes. “Not only the way he is on court, but the way he talks in the huddles. We’re very happy to have him.”

Let’s round up a few more Lakers-related items…

Here’s a little more of what LeBron told Haynes, regarding the team’s recovery from a slow start: “I had to regroup and remember this is a young team. We’re playing some good ball right now and we’re starting to build some good habits. That’s all that matters right now.”
There may be some room for improvement in the on-court chemistry between James and former No. 2 overall pick Brandon Ingram. As Bryan Kalbrosky of HoopsHype relays, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst (podcast link) recently spoke to an executive who has long been a big fan of Ingram and feels as if “it’s not working with LeBron.” Of course, given Ingram’s four-game suspension, the duo only has nine games under its belt so far, so there’s plenty of time to figure things out.
Appearing on ESPN, Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated suggested that the Lakers are likely done tweaking their roster for the time being, meaning they probably wouldn’t be in play for Carmelo Anthony if the Rockets release him. Dan Feldman of NBC Sports has the details.

Carmelo Anthony’s Reps Exploring Possible Destinations

November 12th, 2018 at 5:05pm CST by marksuleymanov

As Carmelo Anthony‘s stint with the Rockets appears to be nearing an end, his representatives are reportedly exploring potential landing spots if and when he hits the open market, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

Earlier today, Chris Sheridan tweeted that the Sixers are “kicking the tires” on Anthony should he hit waivers. However, Kyle Neubeck of the Philly Voice cited a team source who “categorically denied” that Philadelphia has any interest in the 10-time All-Star.

Anthony has missed Houston’s past two games due to illness and did not make the trip with the team for Tuesday night’s matchup against the Nuggets. Wojnarowski noted that both Anthony and league officials are surprised at how quickly the separation has occurred.

Anthony, 34, has appeared in just 10 games (two starts) with the Rockets this season. He has posted career lows across the board, averaging 13.4 PPG 5.4 RPG in 29.4 minutes per game. The shooting problems that plagued Anthony with the Thunder have followed him to Houston, as he shooting 40.5% from the field and 32.8% from beyond the arc.

Cutting ties with Anthony would not be a major financial loss for the Rockets as the team signed him to a veteran’s minimum contract ($1.5MM cap charge) this summer. For Anthony, however, finding another team after disappointing stints with two separate clubs in less than two seasons may prove difficult.

Multiple Rockets Players, Coaches Believe Carmelo’s Time In Houston Is Ending

November 12th, 2018 at 8:11am CST by Luke Adams

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.

Community Shootaround: Carmelo Anthony’s Future

November 11th, 2018 at 7:48pm CST by Eric Spyropoulos

Amidst all of the reports of uncertainty surrounding Carmelo Anthony‘s future with the Rockets, a larger discussion regarding his place in the league itself appears to be on its way.

After being traded from the Thunder and subsequently being released by the Hawks, Anthony signed for the veteran’s minimum in Houston, where he looked to thrive in the team’s offense predicated on 3-pointers and led by two of the best guards in the league.

Unfortunately, Anthony’s offensive struggles have carried over from his lone season with the Thunder, as he is averaging just 13.4 points per game so far and knocking down just 32.8% of his 3-pointers. Anthony has primarily come off the bench but has received a sizable role due to the Rockets dealing with several injuries early in the season.

It’s not only the traditional counting stats that paint this as Anthony’s worst season, as he is posting career-lows in PER, Win Shares per 48 Minutes and Box Plus-Minus. To make matters worse, the Rockets are significantly better when Anthony isn’t on the court. Per Cleaning the Glass, the team’s defense is 9.6 points per 100 possessions worse when Anthony is on the floor.

Considering that Anthony has been a net negative when on the floor for several years and is likely going to find himself without a team sometime soon, what is his role in the league moving forward? Are there NBA teams that would be interested in signing Anthony should he be released by the Rockets?

A common response has been that the Lakers, led by another one of Anthony’s friends in LeBron James could bring him on as another shooter. However, it remains to be seen if that would be the case considering the youth and depth the Lakers have at their disposal (as well as their interest in signing him after his slow start).

Anthony will turn 35 years old at the end of this season, making it appropriate to discuss if this should be his farewell tour. Given his inability to be a capable off-ball player on offense and his dramatic defensive limitations, it’s likely that Anthony won’t find himself on a competitive NBA team moving in subsequent years.

To win at the highest level in the NBA, teams are increasingly relying on capable two-way players, switchable defenders and/or elite shooters and ball-handlers. Anthony meets none of those descriptions, as he is a throwback isolation scorer that best operates out of the mid-range.

What say you, NBA fans? Do you think Carmelo Anthony has a place in the league moving forward? Comment below with your thoughts!

Latest On Carmelo Anthony

November 11th, 2018 at 4:21pm CST by Eric Spyropoulos

As rumors continue to swirl surrounding Carmelo Anthony‘s future with the Rockets, Marc Stein of The New York Times has reported that Anthony’s tenure with the team is expected to come to an end very soon (via Twitter).

Anthony missed the Rockets’ game against the Spurs on Saturday with an illness and was once again declared out for the team’s game against the Pacers on Sunday. As was reported earlier in the weekend, Anthony and the Rockets have had discussions about his role with the team moving forward.

Anthony has appeared in 10 games for the Rockets this season, averaging 13.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game while struggling with his shot (just 32.8% on 3-pointers).

Texas Notes: Anthony, Gordon, Harris, Gasol

November 11th, 2018 at 10:25am CST by Arthur Hill

The Rockets’ discussions with Carmelo Anthony are related to a possible reduction in playing time moving forward, according to Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. Eric Gordon returned to the lineup Saturday night after missing three games with a hip injury, and rookie Gary Clark has moved into the rotation with his impressive play, particularly on defense. That may leave even less time for Anthony, who is already averaging a career-low 29.4 minutes per game in his first season in Houston.

The Rockets have been using Anthony as a backup power forward, hoping to expand his minutes when the matchups permit it. However, the team’s offense has been so bad that it has been forced to keep games close through defense, which isn’t Anthony’s strong point.

Feigen adds that the illness that kept Anthony out of Saturday’s game was legitimate, not a negotiating ploy. However, he states that Anthony will have to decide whether he wants to remain with the franchise if it means an even smaller role.

There’s more this morning out of Texas:

Gordon should get a little break from trade rumors now that Jimmy Butler has been dealt to the Sixers. Frequently mentioned as part of an offer to Minnesota, Gordon told Kelly Iko of The Athletic that he understands the business side of the league. “All I can do is go out there and play,” he said. “The only tough thing is some of your friends always come to you with, ‘Do you think you’re gonna be traded?’ That’s the only annoying thing. At the end of the day I’m just a basketball player and I have to control what I can control.”
A hamstring injury that forced Devin Harris to miss 10 games may have sparked the Mavericks veteran to consider coaching, relays Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News. Harris, who returned to the lineup Saturday, said he got a different perspective on the game while sidelined. “I’ve kind of been forced to in our situation, just trying to help get everybody on the same page, what I see as a player, what I see that the coaches want and try to mend that together,” he said. “I see what drives Coach crazy sometimes, but I also see the players’ frustrations.”
The Spurs aren’t releasing much information on Pau Gasol‘s condition, but he probably won’t be with the team on its three-game road trip, tweets Jabari Young of The Athletic. The team is calling it “soreness,” but Gasol had a walking boot on his left foot last night.

Carmelo Anthony Discussing Role With Rockets

November 10th, 2018 at 9:16pm CST by Arthur Hill

There are signs that Carmelo Anthony‘s stay in Houston may not be a long one, tweets ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Anthony and the team are having discussions about his current role and “how they might still be able to proceed together for the rest of the season.” Wojnarowski adds that talks remain fluid.

Houston has been among the league’s most disappointing teams with a 4-6 start, and much of the blame has fallen on Anthony, who signed as a free agent over the summer. The Rockets have opted to use Anthony primarily off the bench, as he has started just two of 10 games and is averaging a career-low 29.4 minutes per night.

The shooting problems that plagued him last year in Oklahoma City have followed him to Houston, as he is hitting just 40.5% from the field and 32.8% from 3-point range. His effort on defense has also been questioned as the Rockets have fallen into the bottom third of the league in defensive rating after being seventh overall last season.

Parting ways with Anthony wouldn’t present a huge financial loss for Houston, which signed him to a veteran’s minimum contract. He received full payment from the Hawks on his $25,534,253 salary when they waived him in July after acquiring him from the Thunder.

The Rockets had been trying to add Anthony for several years, meeting with him as a free agent in 2014, then attempting to trade for him in the summer of 2017. Anthony had told the Knicks that Houston was the only team he would waive his no-trade clause to join, but he relented near the start of training camp when the Thunder made an offer.