The Houston Rockets still have Carmelo Anthony on the roster and things are pointing to him being traded by next week. How and why? Let’s take a look.
Houston Rockets fans — it’s trade deadline season and we’re less than a month out from theThursday, Feb. 7 deadline at 2 p.m. CST.We all know that Daryl Morey hasn’t met a trade deadline that he hasn’t liked and I’d expect for him to create shock waves of speculation just based off the situation the HoustonRocketsare in.
Although the HoustonRocketsare six games above .500 with a 25-19 record which is good for 6th in the West, withClint Capelaout for up to the next six weeks with an injured thumb,Chris Paul‘s unclear date of return as well asJames Hardentaking the unnecessary pressure of carrying this team, a move is warranted.
Harden has already logged 12 games with 40+ minutes — including three out of the last five games and has had four games where he has scored 50+ points of which two the last five he has done so.
Although it has been absolutely amazing to watch him complete this feat — obviously with him playing the best basketball of his career, he needs help and the trade deadline is going to help with that.
The HoustonRocketsare expected to signKenneth Fariedafter being waived by the Brooklyn Nets today and he’ll provide a vast presence in the front court with his defense and rebounding tactics. Faried’s 109 defensive rating per 100 possessions is good for tops among this team so I think that that and along with his 18.6 points and 13.4 rebounds per 36 minutes — indicating he’s
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a self-starter — will provide an immediate boost to this roster.
But the HoustonRocketsare far from done.Carmelo Anthonyis still a part of this roster and he’s currently being paid his minimum $2.4 million salary for this season although he hasn’t seen any action on the hardwood since Nov. 8.
Sam Amick of the Athletic reports that Anthony has multiple options available to himbut it still remains unclear if he’ll be traded or eventually released by the HoustonRockets.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski has signaled that theHoustonRocketsare exploring trade options for the 12-time All-Star. He also indicates that the potential addition of Faried will also require a roster spot to which they hope trading Anthony will open one up. If they’re not successful they will waive James Nunnally, who’s on a 10-day contract as they have no plans to waive Melo.
If what Woj is saying holds up, Anthony could be traded by next week when Faried clears waivers.
I talked about this notion a few months back in regard to the best trade proposal/destination for Anthony.You can take a look at it here.
Coincidentally, trading Anthony would benefit both the HoustonRocketsand the potential suitor because either way you slice it, he’ll be owed the about the same amount of money — approximately $1.2 million — whether another team takes on the remainder of his current contract or if he signs a new one.
Regardless, all signs are trending toward the notion that he will play again this season but with a change of scenery.
I do think that there’s a market for Anthony and I think Morey will be able to pull it off within the next couple of weeks. Anthony still has value and that’s why they’ve been holding onto him for so long.
We’ll have to see how this pans out!
Anthony, 34, averaged13.4 points and 5.4 reboundswhile shooting.405/.328/.682in 10 games — two starts — for theRocketsthis season.
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