© Russell Isabella | 2018 Apr 23
After weeks of reports linking Carmelo Anthony to the Houston Rockets, the veteran forward has verbally agreed to sign with the team, according to Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports. Anthony was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in a cost-cutting move by the Thunder on July 25, and was bought out by Atlanta on July 30. Anthony cleared waivers last week.
Carmelo Anthony has verbally agreed to sign with the Houston Rockets, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 7, 2018
Anthony cleared free agency waivers last week and has informed Houston of decision to sign upon return from Africa, league sources said. Anthony also unveiled refurbished basketball court in South Africa last week. https://t.co/iezYkuwCJ5
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 7, 2018
Anthony, 34, is coming off a down year in Oklahoma City where he struggled to find his rhythm in a supportive role, posting career lows in field goal percentage (40.4 %) and points per game (16.2). Anthony was unwilling to come off the bench for the Thunder last season, something he made clear during his introductory press conference. Anthony seemed to imply that would also be the case this season, when he told reporters during his exit interview that he is done making sacrifices.
Anthony joins a Rockets team that led the NBA with 65 wins last season, and lost in Game 7 of the Conference Finals to the Warriors.