Carmelo Anthony has his own ideas for Houston
July 28, 2018Carmelo Anthony has already started to stir things up in Houston even before his proposed move to the Rockets.
The 34-year-old was deemed surplus to requirements at Oklahoma City after a poor season for the Thunder which culminated in a below-par showing during the club’s first-round play-off exit.
He was offloaded to the Atlanta Hawks as the Rockets engineered a three-team trade which also included sending a 2022 protected first-round pick to the Georgia outfit for guard Dennis Schroder and forward Mike Muscala.
Anthony had already made it clear he was happy to see out the rest of his $27.9m contract with the Thunder, who then sent Muscala to Philadelphia for forward Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, with the 76ers moving guard Justin Anderson to Atlanta.
It is now thought that the Hawks will buy out his contract and he will pen a $2.4m veteran’s minimum deal in Houston.
Despite a disappointing showing last term, it was thought that the 10-time All-Star might make an impact from the bench if he joins the Rockets, but the New York-born ace appears to have other ideas.
“I know how to play this game of basketball,” he said.
“I’ve been playing it for a long time. When I feel like I’m ready to take that role, then I’ll take that role.
“Only I know when it’s best for me to take that role. I’m not going to do that in a situation where I still know my capabilities and what I can do.
“And at the end of the day, the people who really matter know my capabilities and what I can still do.”
Houston are 7.50 to win the NBA Finals next season, with Golden State Warriors favourites at 1.53.