Atlanta Hawks Could Trade With OKC For Carmelo Anthony
By Kit Anderson
The Atlanta Hawks are a potential landing destination for former star Carmelo Anthony. A potential trade could make perfect sense for both sides.
Carmelo Anothy as a member of the Atlanta Hawks may seem like an odd idea but bear with the reasoning for a moment.
Anthony is on the move, that is a fact reported by many outlets including NBA Trade Rumors. In the linked report you will read the Hawks are one of three teams with more than enough cap space to acquire Anthony.
Though they are just one of three they have more financial compatibility with the Thunder than other teams. By this of course I mean they have equally bad contracts they want to deal the Thunder could eat in exchange for one year of Melo.
Sure Anthony isn’t what he once was but he would put people in seats and give Atlanta a star to pair with Trae Young. I don’t like Anthony as a player, he is past his prime and makes questionable decisions with the ball.
Still, it makes too much sense for the Hawks to ignore the idea of bringing Melo to Atlanta. Dealing him to rid themselves of Kent Bazemore’s contract would be one idea. Another option would be to make a deal with Miles Plumlee.
Both Plumlee and Bazemore are on two-year deals while Anthony’s bigger contract would expire after this season.
It would help the Thunder acquire more depth as well as lessen their penalties. The trade works for both sides and has its benefits for the Hawks. The biggest being you rid yourselves of two years of a bad contract for a one-year payoff.
I have my doubts Carmelo would be willing to play for Atlanta but it is worth a shot. Taking on his expiring deal doesn’t make the team worse and would help speed up the rebuild if you managed to trade two years of a bad contract.
Next: Trae Young Headed to Atlanta
Carmelo to the ATL? Maybe a long shot, but one the Hawks should take it would speed up the rebuild while making them more watchable in the season to come.