On Monday, former New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony has been traded by the Houston Rockets to the Chicago Bulls.
Atlanta Hawks or Chicago Bulls? Which Melo jersey are you springing for?
Former New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony has been traded by the Houston Rockets to the Chicago Bulls, via ESPN. The news broke on Monday, following a long stretch for Anthony that’s showcased much rest.
It’s expected that Melo won’t play one game in Chicago. The teams wanted to finalize the deal on Monday, but will be forced to wait until Tuesday due to Martin Luther King Day.
Anthony, 34, played in just 10 games with Houston this season prior to a decision that removed him from the active roster. Melo averaged 13.4 points, 0.5 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game while shooting a paltry .405 from the floor for a struggling Rockets squad.
His last contest this season came all the way back on Nov. 8 when the Rockets fell to a 4-6 record after falling to his former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder. Since his departure, Houston has gone on a tear, skyrocketing to fifth in the West (third at one point) with a 26-20 mark.
Speaking of the Thunder, they’ve also improved since Melo’s exit. Sitting third in the West with a 28-18 record marks an improvement over their 48-34 mark the prior season.
The real question now is, “Where will the 10-time NBA All-Star wind up?”
Many theorize that LeBron James will throw his weight around and welcome his friend to Los Angeles. Though LeBron has always been positive about Anthony in the public (and thus, seemingly wanting to play with him), he’s a smart player. He understands the crippling limitations of Anthony’s current game.
On the other hand, if Melo simply accepted roll that saw him play 18-to-20 minutes a night while using that spot-up jumper during certain soft spots in the game, he could be a nice weapon.
Stay tuned. If all goes according to plan, Carmelo Anthony will become a free agent by Feb. 7, 2019, the date that marks the 2019 NBA trade deadline.
All we know right now is the Chicago Bulls can be coupled with the Atlanta Hawks—the two Melo organizations he was employed by yet never played for.
