Oklahoma City Thunder: 2017-18 player grades for Carmelo Anthony

Strengths

Carmelo Anthony may no longer be capable of averaging 28 points per game anymore, but he still has plenty to contribute. The best fit at this point is probably with him coming off the bench, and he has a chance to be highly effective as a sixth man if he can swallow his pride a little.

What has always made Anthony great is his size, quickness and ability to create his own shot. Over the years we have seen him beat up smaller defenders in the post and pull up for mid-range jump shots with equal ease. He has a full arsenal of moves and he will be a handful for any second unit if he ends up coming off the bench.

Playing fewer minutes would also allow him to be better-rested and more explosive when he is on the court. We may even be lucky enough to see some vintage Carmelo moves like this one:

Another way Melo can keep contributing as he ages is by being a veteran presence and vocal leader, both on and off the court. We have all heard how he yells at his teammates to clear out when he comes in for a rebound. This habit of his may be a little over-aggressive, but the point is that he is not afraid to direct his team.

He also has a wealth of experience in the NBA and with Team USA in the Olympics that he brings to the table. His veteran presence will be especially useful as the Thunder bring in more young talent.

Lastly, Anthony is simply a born scorer. Even if he comes off the bench and averages 12 points per game in limited minutes, he will always have that ability to create a shot for himself. He is the kind of player that can hold down the fort with a second unit practically all by himself. His scoring ability is a valuable commodity and he still has a few more years left in him that the Thunder can take advantage of.