Carmelo Anthony and Rockets Are Reportedly Discussing Their Future After Weak Season Start

Although Melo was sidelined by illness, many reports detail that the Rockets and Melo are at odds.

Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Houston Rockets looks on from the bench
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Image via Getty/Bob Levey

Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Houston Rockets looks on from the bench

Carmelo Anthony has had a rough late-career transition in Houston. After taking up the bench role, Anthony and the Rockets are reportedly in serious talks about his future with the team. 

Melo was sidelined by illness for Saturday's loss against the Spurs, but ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the issues don't just concern health.

While Carmelo Anthony is absent with an illness tonight against the Spurs, the Rockets and Anthony are discussing his role and how they might still be able to proceed together for the rest of the season, league sources tell ESPN. Talks are fluid.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 11, 2018

The Athletic's Shams Charania reported that Anthony did participate in a full practice the day before he sat out with his "illness."

Sources on @TheAthleticNBA @WatchStadium: The Houston Rockets and Carmelo Anthony are seriously weighing his roster situation. Sides ruled him out tonight in San Antonio due to "illness" — after he practiced fully with team Friday, league sources said.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 11, 2018

Anthony has had better seasons. He's shot just 40.5 percent from the field through the Rockets' first 11 games. Plus, the Rockets are clearly not the offensive powerhouse they were last year. They went from being one of the league's top five scoring teams to second-least this year with a 4-7 record.

While no reports have gone into detail on the nature of the conversation, rumors allude to it being centered around Anthony's bench role and whether waiving him would be the best move for both Melo and the organization. But the New York Times reported that the team is "not letting Melo go," according to a source.

Asked tonight if the Rockets were soon parting company with Carmelo Anthony, one source with knowledge of Houston’s thinking insisted the team is “not letting Melo go.” Yet it appears we must stay tuned amid multiple reports about ongoing talks with Melo on his role going forward

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 11, 2018

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