From MVP to Big 3: OKC Thunder could add Carmelo Anthony
It has been reported that the OKC Thunder could add Carmelo Anthony in a trade with the Knicks. It would be the second time this offseason the Thunder came in a swiped a player from team’s noses.
It has been reported by The Ringer‘s Bill Simmons that the Oklahoma City Thunder and Carmelo Anthony have been circling each other, which means that the Thunder could be working on a potential Big Three.
The OKC Thunder already obtained Paul George in a trade where they gave the Indiana Pacers Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis, but now they are trying to get Carmelo Anthony, which would give them three superstars (Russell Westbrook, PG-13 and Melo) on one team.
If the Thunder are able to get Carmelo, he would be a potential replacement for Paul George for the next couple of years if he left in free agency next summer. The Thunder also have Terrance Ferguson, who they just drafted. Ferguson will need some years to develop but if they can snag Anthony while they already have George on the team, they could then have players that are able to mentor Ferguson.
Rajon Rondo was part of the Celtics team that won the 2008 NBA championship and he was a young player like Ferguson. While Rondo’s role was more crucial than Ferguson’s is, Rondo was mentored by the Big Three of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett.
In this scenario, the Thunder would also have enough pieces in case Paul George decides to leave.
The Thunder’s payroll is approaching $128 million. Trading for Anthony would mean that they would have to trade away a large salary like Enes Kanter‘s $17.8 million along with other players. The Thunder have just signed Patrick Patterson, so trading away Kanter would be less of a blow. Patterson is an offensive threat so that helps the Thunder in terms of keeping bench depth.
Have a scoop - OKC and Carmelo are officially circling each other. OKC's Troy Weaver recruited Melo to Cuse + has known him since DMV days.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) July 24, 2017
Carmelo Anthony is the type of player that would be able to help the Thunder in half court offense. The Thunder were 17th in team shooting percentage last year. Carmelo shoots 45 percent from the field for his career.
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He will also help the Thunder from three. The Thunder were 26th in the league in three-pointers made. Carmelo has made 1,172 three-pointers in his career. The Thunder made 692 three-pointers last year, while Carmelo made 151 three-pointers himself last year and the New York Knicks finished 12th in the standings last year.
The only other Thunder player to pass that was Russell Westbrook, who had 200 made threes. The Knicks were not in contention and Carmelo still made more threes last year than almost every player on the Thunder. The Thunder need Carmelo and it is no surprise that they are “circling” each other.
Having these three players will help the Thunder compete with the likes of the Golden State Warriors, who the Thunder did not beat in the regular season once. The Thunder were 0-4 against the Warriors, 1-2 versus the Spurs and 1-3 versus the Rockets, giving them a 2-9 record against the top three teams in the West last year.
Next: 2017 NBA free agency tracker - Grades for every deal so far
The Thunder will have to beat the top teams in the West in order to be confident in themselves to make a deep playoff run, and if Carmelo can be added to Paul George and Westbrook, then the Thunder could be in position to do just that.