Carmelo Anthony’s time in Houston with the Rockets was short and unproductive and now it’s officially come to a close. The veteran guard was traded to the Chicago Bulls on Monday, bringing to a close another failed chapter in the later stages of the superstar’s NBA career.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the deal on Monday evening, shortly before the deadline the Rockets had to move Anthony off their roster for good in an effort to bring in Kenneth Faried.
The Houston Rockets have agreed to trade Carmelo Anthony and cash to the Chicago Bulls, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 21, 2019
Unfortunately the deal won’t be done before they needed it done to get Faried on the roster for their game on Monday night, so they still had to waive James Nunnally for a roster spot, with the expectation they’ll try to re-sign him once the Melo trade goes through.
The NBA office will not execute the trade today because it's a holiday, league sources tell ESPN. To clear the way for Kenneth Faried to sign and play tonight in Philadelphia, Rockets had to waive to James Nunnally. Trade call on 'Melo will likely be Tuesday. https://t.co/Oo2IA0nsJP
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 21, 2019
Those that initially thought Anthony would join a chaotic season for the Bulls, currently with Jim Boylen in charge, will not get their wish. Anthony will not be staying in Chicago long, as this is expected to be a trade and waive situation for the Bulls to put Anthony on the free agent market where he can pick his next destination — possibly the Lakers to play with his buddy LeBron James.
Carmelo Anthony is unlikely to remain member of Bulls, per source.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 21, 2019
Anthony won't play a game for the Bulls, league source tells ESPN. He will be released and become a free agent if he clears waivers. https://t.co/Oo2IA0nsJP
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 21, 2019
This will be, technically, the fourth team Anthony has been on this year — he even got a jersey from the Atlanta Hawks for being part of another trade and waive. The Hawks, meanwhile, who could be the big winners in this deal come summertime.
The big winner of Carmelo Anthony traded to Chicago is the Atlanta Hawks. If Anthony is waived by the Bulls, Atlanta will receive a set-off of any additional salary that Anthony would sign for. The Hawks owed Anthony $25.5M as part of his buyout this summer.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) January 21, 2019
But as Woj pointed out, he may live in a similar limbo with the Bulls for a bit.
Carmelo Anthony will not play a game for the Bulls, but it is possible that franchise holds off on waiving him until the trade deadline, league sources tell ESPN. Bulls could include him in a one-for-one trade, but can't aggregate his contract in another deal.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 21, 2019
For Anthony, his best bet is waiting until the Feb. 7 trade deadline to find his next team. He can wait for roster spots to open, trades to happen, etc, that'll create the best opportunity for him. Anthony wants to find a place to contribute. https://t.co/cRgbMalvTl
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 21, 2019
Still, it’s expected Anthony will make it lucky team number five shortly as he attempts to become the first player to travel the entire NBA in one season.
