Considering the fact that Carmelo Anthony had a horrendous season in his inaugural campaign with the Oklahoma City Thunder, it was no surprise he opted in for the final year of a contract that would pay him nearly $28 million. This, combined with the substantial financial commitments to Russell Westbrook (5yrs/ $205 million), Steven Adams (4yrs/$100 million), and now the recently re-signed Paul George )4yrs/$137 million) and would present the Thunder with an astronomical $150 million in luxury taxes.
Accordsing to a report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Anthony and the Thunder are working in concert to go their separate ways.
The massive financial implications of Anthony opting into his $27.9 million contract for the 2018-19 season — coupled with a mutual understanding that his scaled back role isn’t what he had signed up for to play with Oklahoma City — have dictated that the two sides will part ways sometime this summer, league sources told ESPN.
Anthony’s agent, Leon Rose of CAA Sports, has a strong relationship and history with Thunder general manager Sam Presti, and they’ll work together on Anthony’s exit through trade, the NBA’s stretch provision, or a combined buyout and stretch, league sources said.
Ending this illfited partnership will save the Thunder $90 million, by cutting their tax bill to $60 million. Perhaps it can allow Melo to go somewhere, if there are any takers, where he can bounce back from this season and how that he still has something left.
