Carmelo Anthony wasn't at his best during his first season with the Oklahoma City Thunder—that may be an understatement. Melo looked downright washed at times.
The 33-year-old (soon to be 34) played the fewest minutes per game of his career (32.1) and had career lows in many other statistical categories. He averaged only 16.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.3 (!) assists per game. Melo struggled to adjust to his role as the third (and sometimes fourth) banana, and in his exit interview he critiqued the Thunder's strategy.
"I think the player that they wanted me to be and needed me to be was for the sake of this season," Anthony said. "Everything was just thrown together and it wasn't anything that was planned out. Wasn't no strategy to me being here, me being a part of the actual system and what type of player and things like that."
It appears both sides are unhappy with the relationship, as a new report from Sean Deveney of Sporting Newsindicates the Thunder are ready to move on from Melo.
"While the Thunder want to keep (Paul) George long-term, they'd very much like to find a way to rid themselves of Anthony, who could not find a role with the team and did not inspire confidence with his unwillingness to sacrifice, highlighted by his insistence that he would not come off the bench," Deveney writes.
The Thunder owe Melo $28 million for next season, but it's possible the two sides could reach a buyout (for, say, half of that amount) so the Thunder could move on and Melo could play in a situation that was more to his liking. See the full details of his contract here.
Given the report earlier this week that Paul George is as good as gone in free agency, the Thunder's roster may look very different next season.
