Carmelo Anthony is reportedly set to sign with the Houston Rockets for the league’s veteran minimum $2.4 million.
It’s a move everyone is expecting: Carmelo Anthony signing with the Houston Rockets to play with his buddy Chris Paul. Since being traded to the Atlanta Hawks, Melo is expected to be waived and then sign with the Rockets once he’s clear.
According to The New York Times’ Marc Stein, there will be a 48 hour process post-waiver by the Hawks before Anthony can officially sign but that’s what the endgame is. He’ll be receiving the league’s veteran minimum of $2.4 million for a one-year deal. It’s a bit surprising considering Anthony is only 34-years old, coming off a huge deal, and still posted up 16 ppg and 5 rebounds as a third option. Sure, it’s the lowest of his career but seems it would still garner the full MLE.
Lest we forget Melo is only one year removed from posting 22.4 ppg with the New York Knicks. When he’s trying, there are few scorers more elite than him.
That said, it appears Anthony will come off the bench to start the season barring Capela being stolen away from a serious unmatchable contract offer. He’s likely to play power forward, a position Mike D’Antoni once wanted Anthony to play on the Knicks during their stint together. Anthony would be making a huge sacrifice, both on the court and off the court financially.
Contracts across the board this past summer have been noticeably down, teams going for short term one-year contracts and less money. It’s not just DeMarcus Cousins’ Golden State Warrior signing but Brook Lopez even youngster Julius Randle. Based on those figures, getting the 2.4 million vet minimum is about par with the rest of the summer signings but likely not the highest Anthony could have earned somewhere else. Major reasons for Anthony to join the Rockets will be longtime friend Chris Paul and to be part of the only team that pushed the Durant version Warriors to the limit.
If everything goes right for Carmelo he’ll receive solid play time, earn a better multiple year contract next summer, and have a fighter’s chance against the Warriors for a ring. However, there’s also another side where Carmelo is again asked to sacrifice his individual talent and reprimanded by his detractors for ‘losing it’ despite the contrary. Less minutes/bench roles usually mean lowered stats and as a result a worse contract next summer.
Anthony is just a year removed from being a team’s franchise player on the Knicks (Thunder Big 3 anomaly aside) and prior on the Nuggets. No player with a franchise star resume would want a permanent seat at the vet minimum/MLE range for the rest of his career starting at 34. Anthony will have to make the best of the situation with the Rockets, and look at as an opportunity to revive his NBA brand back to what it was.