In news that will surprise absolutely no one, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Carmelo Anthony will opt-in to the final year of his contract,, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times.
Carmelo Anthony does not intend to opt out of his current contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to a person familiar with Anthony’s decision.
Anthony has until Saturday at midnight (Eastern) to exercise the option that would make him a free agent July 1 — provided he were willing to walk away from the $27.9 million he is owed next season.
But he is planning to let the deadline pass quietly and keep his current contract in effect, according to the person, who was not authorized to discuss the situation publicly.
This was completely expected because considering the season he had with the Thunder, one in which he averaged a career-low 16.2 ppg on 40% shooting and generally looked out of place in the OKC “offense”, no team in their right mind would pay him anything close to the $27.9 million he is owed next season.
That high number on that contract, and his play last season, will make him tough to move if that is the direction the Thunder want to go. Perhaps the Thunder and Anthony can have a meeting of the minds similar to that of what LaMarcus Aldridge and Gregg Popovich had when he was asking out of town.
“I think the player that they wanted me to be and needed me to be was for the sake of this season because everything was just thrown together and it wasn’t anything that was planned out.
“It wasn’t no strategy to me being here. Me being a part of the actual system and what type of player and things like that.
“As far as being effective as that type of player, I don’t think I can be effective. I was willing to accept that challenge in that role.
“But I think I bring a little bit more to the game as far as being more knowledgable in what I still can do as a basketball player.”
