It looks like Carmelo Anthony might find a new NBA team after all.
Although the marriage between Anthony and the Houston Rockets are over, that doesn't mean that Anthony's NBA career is over just yet. At the current moment, Anthony remains signed with the Rockets -- but that's only due to financial reasons. The 10-time All-Star won't play another game in a Rockets jersey as both sides are weighing their options on how to go about a separation properly.
At 34 years of age and 16 years of mileage on him, you have to wonder if Anthony has anything left in the tank to offer to other teams around the league. Especially when you see that his last three destinations made it clear that they didn't want him.
However, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, there's still an NBA team that will sign Anthony once he becomes available.
“Part of the reason Houston is holding on to Carmelo Anthony right now is financial,” Wojnarowski said on a podcast with former NBA GM and fellow ESPN employee Bobby Marks.
“Carmelo is going to be back in the league this year, I have no doubt. I think there will be a job for him. How significant of a role? That remains to be seen. I do think it’s gotta be the right team for him. It’s gotta be a place that makes sense.
“Somebody else can’t pull the plug a few games in and say, this isn’t working. I don’t think he wants that to be his existence in the league now."
Over the past year alone, the New York Knicks got rid of him for role players Enes Kanter and Doug McDermott. The Oklahoma City Thunder made it clear that they believed Anthony was the root of their struggles in 2017-18, resulting in their quick first-round playoff exit. And the Rockets only took about 16 games before they decided the experiment with Anthony was causing their own struggles just months after coming within a game of an NBA Finals appearance.
At this point, it would appear Anthony's options are limited. However, there was reported interest between the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Portland Trail Blazers when news initially broke that the Rockets would part ways with Anthony.
Anthony is clearly playing for a ring and he did take the demotion to the bench in Houston. What that means is that he's willing to take less of a role for the opportunity to win a ring.
The Blazers would present him with the best chance of doing that this season, as they currently hold one of the top records in the Western Conference. In the case of the Lakers, Anthony would have the chance to play alongside LeBron James for the first time in their storied careers. In the scenario with the Heat, he would also have that same opportunity playing alongside good buddy Dwyane Wade -- while also having the chance of being one of their top scoring options.
Although Anthony's value is at an all-time low, we can expect one more tour for the former scoring champion.
The question is where?
