News emerged last week stating that the Oklahoma City Thunder were reportedly moving towards parting ways with Carmelo Anthony this summer. Further reports have now suggested we're moving closer to that eventuality.
This is because two teams are reportedly interested in acquiring Anthony as a free agent should he be released, or via trade if the Thunder decide that his time with the franchise is over this offseason.
Those two teams are the Houston Rockets and the Miami Heat, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Premium consideration
Wojnarowski adds that the Rockets will be a "premium consideration" for Anthony, and they'll likely want his services too because of the losses they have already suffered this offseason through free agency.
Houston has already lost Trevor Ariza to the Phoenix Suns, and Luc Mbah a Moute to the Los Angeles Clippers this free agency, so they may look to pursue Melo as a replacement.
The 34-year-old is coming off his worst season in the NBA, as he posted career lows in scoring average and field goal percentage last season.
The 10-time All-Star averaged 16.2 points on 40.4-percent shooting. However, at this stage of free agency, the Rockets can't be extremely picky about who they sign despite Melo's poor numbers.
Free Agency Loss
They've already lost two of their top eight scorers, including a starter in Ariza, so they can't be choosy over who they sign if they want to improve upon their team-record 65 victories last season.
Anthony opted into his $27.9 million contract for the 2018-19 season with the Thunder, but he's unlikely to stay due to the fact his scaled-back role with the team right now isn't what he wants.
Oklahoma City will be looking to end their relationship with the 34-year-old this offseason as a way of trimming their overall payroll and luxury tax bill. It could deliver the team over $100 million in cost savings.
A move away from the Thunder for Anthony to either the Rockets or the Heat would benefit all parties involved, as the Thunder receive their cost savings, while Melo will get more minutes at either franchise listed as possible destinations.
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