Melo might be heading out of Houston.
Carmelo Anthony was conspicuously absent on Sunday for the Rockets’ game against the Indiana Pacers. The absence comes amidst rampant rumours that Houston is considering letting the veteran player loose.
Asked tonight if the Rockets were soon parting company with Carmelo Anthony, one source with knowledge of Houston’s thinking insisted the team is “not letting Melo go.” Yet it appears we must stay tuned amid multiple reports about ongoing talks with Melo on his role going forward
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) 11 November 2018
While Carmelo Anthony is absent with an illness tonight against the Spurs, the Rockets and Anthony are discussing his role and how they might still be able to proceed together for the rest of the season, league sources tell ESPN. Talks are fluid.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) 11 November 2018
But, before we go wild with speculation for where Melo might go, GM Daryl Morey was quick to shut down rumors during pre-game press conference.
He addressed the situation by saying there were “a lot of unfair, like, rumours and everything going around about [Anthony],”
The Rockets, of course, have had a less-than-stellar season with a 5-7 record at the moment, which has only fuelled the whispers going around on why the team would cut Anthony.
It probably doesn’t help that a veteran and set-in-his-ways player like Anthony was seen as a big risk for the team from the moment they signed him earlier this year. Then again, Houston could also probably use a scapegoat for their lackluster record this year.
Anyway, we basically have no solid information and know nothing, but here are some Twitter commentators who’ve taken the rumours and pretty much just ran with it.
Trying to make my guy @carmeloanthony the fall guy huh!? Man y’all need to stop. That’s the easy way out instead of addressing what the real problem.
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) 12 November 2018
Carmelo Anthony since 2012-13:
2014: Misses playoffs
2015: Plays just 40 games due to injury
2016: Misses playoffs
2017: Misses playoffs
2018: Fails to score 30 points in a game, and becomes the fall guy in OKC.1 of the greatest players ever won’t be remembered kindly!
— Ben Stinar (@BenStinar) 11 November 2018
Carmelo Anthony is averaging 1.41 points per possession when posting up so far this season. That ranks the BEST among all players in the NBA. But Mike D’Antoni is reluctant to use him on this play type. A new home could be helpful.
More details: https://t.co/QCZRKMw1Y6 #Rockets pic.twitter.com/pySg5Z5Ihn
— Bryan Kalbrosky (@BryanKalbrosky) 11 November 2018
If the Rockets release Carmelo Anthony, the probability of Houston making the playoffs INCREASES by 19.9%, according to @SportsLine. pic.twitter.com/f4gcruA3fy
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) 11 November 2018
Through 10 games, Carmelo Anthony has more missed shots (72) than field goals, assists, steals, and blocks combined (65).
Rockets are 15.4 points per 100 possessions better with him off the court.
— Justin Phan (@jphanned) 9 November 2018
Melo gave up $2.4 million to sign with the Rockets.
Rockets will waive Melo and pay him $2.4 million.
A team will sign Melo to a contract that will pay about $2 million for the rest of the season.
Carmelo Anthony will GAIN $2 MILLION this year.
A FINESSE ??? til the end pic.twitter.com/F1gtaPgl7Q
— Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) 11 November 2018
Carmelo didn’t even play in their horrible loss to the spurs so why are they trying to pin all their problems on him
— Big Wallace™️??⚽️ (@Fante_man) 11 November 2018
Hopefully there’s no bad blood once this all shakes out. We don’t want another Ja Rule/50 Cent situation.
Cover image via Instagram @houstonrockets.
