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Houston Rockets Rumors: Pelicans ruffling their way in on Carmelo Anthony deal

By Brian K. Patterson

DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 25: Carmelo Anthony
DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 25: Carmelo Anthony /
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The Houston Rockets continue to dominate the sports headlines day after day as they’re rumored to land one of the league’s biggest superstars.

Yes, a potential deal to bring Carmelo Anthony to the Houston Rockets is reportedly in the works but there’s a lot of ground to cover in order for something like this be pulled off.  It’s quite possible that a four-team trade will have to take place in order for the primary parties involved — the Rockets and the New York Knicks — ultimately get what they want.

There have been absolutely no specifics on who the other two teams will be other than speculation.  The Portland Trail Blazers have come up a lot in hearsay and it would make sense because they need to shed $133 million worth of guaranteed contracts.  But since that’s not confirmed, we’re still waiting on who will emerge as a front-runner for a deal that will include multiple players, draft picks and likely a changing of hands of cash.

The specifics have been quite hazy — up until now.  According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, the New Orleans Pelicans have signaled that they’d like to be one of the teams — specifically the 4th — if such a deal for Melo were to swing their way. The 4th team is important because per an earlier report from Stefan Bondy and Frank Isola, they’d be the team to take the assets that neither the Houston Rockets or Knicks want.  The report mentions that potential deal is “on the two-yard line,” which is cool to see them use a football reference to denote that the pact is almost into the end zone.  Berman mentions in his report that both sides are engaged but he sees as unlikely a deal will be done by Friday but possibly into the weekend.

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That could mean that Ryan Anderson, who has long been rumored to be the key piece to trade with three-years, $61 million left on his $80 million deal, may be headed back to the Big Easy.  Although it’s too early to tell if that would happen, a scenario involving such a move would like create a favorable reaction among all parties involved.  The Knicks have already expressed their desire to not acquire older players as they’re trying to get young in their comprehensive rebuild.  General manager Steve Mills, who is rumored to take the president’s job vacated by Phil Jackson, is the mastermind behind the long-term plan.

This certainly would be one of Mills’ signature moves as a potential higher-level executive and I know he’s licking his chops, considering he hasn’t had the opportunity to have total control of the day-to-day operations.  But who knows with the zen master taking a far-back seat approach in governing a storied organization.

But enough about the Knicks.  If a 4th team were involved, this would mean that the Rockets wouldn’t likely have to part with key pieces in Eric Gordon and Clint Capela, which is exactly what I want.  There are a lot of questions on if Anthony will change his prior modus operandi to fit the Rockets’ style and I think he will.  Although the relationship won’t be perfect with Mike D’Antoni, I think the two can co-exist, especially when the ultimate goal is win basketball games.  With three sure-fire Hall of Famers onboard, there will be many that will be won, especially when they get their timing down with each other.  I think you need to wait and see.

Next: Rockets need to make a move for Marcus Smart

Anthony, 33, averaged 22.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists off 43.3 percent shooting from the field and 35.9 percent from three through 74 games last season.

Go Houston Rockets.

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