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NBA Trade Deadline 2019: 5 post-deadline buyout candidates

By Cody Williams

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 30: Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks directs his teammates in the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Madison Square Garden on January 30, 2019 in New York City.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 30: Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks directs his teammates in the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Madison Square Garden on January 30, 2019 in New York City.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 2: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Houston Rockets looks on against the Brooklyn Nets on November 2, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 2: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Houston Rockets looks on against the Brooklyn Nets on November 2, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5. Carmelo Anthony, F, Chicago Bulls

Carmelo Anthony landing with the Houston Rockets coming into the 2018-19 season divided many NBA fans and pundits. Some thought that he could have a career revival as a veteran alongside Chris Paul and James Harden, while others thought that it would be a disaster. Those who believed the latter scenario were proved right when it was all said and done for Anthony in Houston.

He played in just 10 games for the Rockets and was downright awful. Anthony averaged just 13.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game for Houston in 29.4 minutes per game, made worse by the fact that he shot just 40.5 percent from the floor and 32.8 percent on his 3-point attempts. He was a complete non-factor, if not something worse, so the team and player agreed to part ways, which then landed him with the Chicago Bulls in a trade to cut costs a week before the deadline.

Upon that trade, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Bulls were waiving him, meaning that he would be available in the second wave of free agency following the NBA Trade Deadline.

Anthony is perhaps the most interesting player that will be available on the buyout market. At his best, we’ve seen him be an elite scorer and rebounder with tremendous versatility as an offensive player. Over the last two seasons and with him in his mid-30s, though, it’s difficult to believe that’s the player you’re getting. Subsequently, any team signing Anthony would be taking a dramatic risk, but perhaps one that could pay off, even if the chances of that are looking increasingly low.

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