Carmelo Anthony
(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

The path is finally clear for Carmelo Anthony to join the Houston Rockets. He’s reportedly been talking about it for over a week.

Carmelo Anthony is finally free to sign with the Houston Rockets following Thursday’s deal that finally jettisoned him mercifully out of Oklahoma City. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Anthony’s been traded to the Atlanta Hawks — who will immediately waive him — for Dennis Schroder in a three-team blockbuster deal.

TNT’s David Aldridge reports that Anthony has been telling people for over a week he’s on his way to Houston which isn’t much of a surprise. The ten-time All-Star has been linked to the Rockets for over a year. They were his first choice in a trade from New York, and they’re reportedly his first choice now.

Playing with close friend and Houston point guard Chris Paul was obviously a big selling point for Anthony. Anthony will likely start with the Rockets. That was reportedly another sticking point with him and Oklahoma City.

A reunion with his former rival, head coach Mike D’Antoni, is on the horizon. That still makes no sense for either side, but it is sure to make great NBA theater. I’m not sure if signing Anthony will make the Rockets better, but it makes them even more interesting.