The Oklahoma City Thunder have a major problem on their hands as the team prepares to enter the offseason. No, we’re not talking about trying to find a way to convince Paul George to re-sign with the team as he becomes an unrestricted free agent, although that’s certainly high on the team’s list of priorities.
Instead, we’re talking about the dilemma the Thunder find themselves in with regards to Carmelo Anthony. The veteran forward is almost certainly going to opt into the final year of his player option, because it stands to reason that he could not get anywhere close to the $27.9 million that he’d earn by opting in.
The issue, of course, is that Anthony struggled during his first year in Oklahoma City, both in terms of performance and finding a role, and there’s no way the team actually wants to pay him twenty seven point nine million dollars.
Sean Deveney of Sporting News wrote what we all assumed, that the Thunder would “very much like” to find a way to get rid of the soon-to-be 34-year-old forward.
While the Thunder want to keep George long-term, they’d very much like to find a way to rid themselves of Anthony, who could not find a role with the team and did not inspire confidence with his unwillingness to sacrifice, highlighted by his insistence that he would not come off the bench.
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But Anthony’s stubbornness and selfishness have been exposed with the Thunder, who still owe him $28 million for next season, if Anthony chooses to opt in (as he surely will). It’s highly unlikely that the Thunder can find a trade for Anthony, who probably won’t be keen on a pay cut to pave the way for a buyout, either. The relationship has soured, though, and it might be best for all if a separation can be arranged.
Financially, it makes all the sense in the world for Anthony to get paid this next year, even if it could potentially create a really awkward situation in Oklahoma City during the 2018-19 campaign. Things become a little hairy when you remember that Anthony stressed his desire to start, which might not be an option if he comes back to the Thunder.
This is shaping up to be a really weird offseason for the Thunder, and while much of the potential awkwardness the team is facing can be avoided if Anthony chooses to opt out, it’s hard to imagine a reasonable scenario where that outcome would happen.
(Via Sporting News)
