There's been a lot of interest in Carmelo Anthony since news broke that he'd be leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder. First, it seemed the Houston Rockets were looking to add him to their roster, but more recently it was rumored that he'd be joining the Atlanta Hawks in a trade. Now the New York Times reports he is, in fact, planning to sign with the Rockets, but only after the Hawks trade takes place.
With his pending trade from the Thunder to the Hawks expected to take several days, Anthony is unlikely to become a free agent before next week. With this new trade, the Thunder hopes to send the former All-Star to the Hawks in exchange for guard Dennis Schroder. The Philadelphia 76ers are also involved in the deal, meaning if it all goes through, the Sixers will get the Hawks' Mike Muscala in exchange for Justin Anderson going to the Hawks and Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot to the Thunder.
Once the trade is complete, the Hawks will reportedly release Anthony. When the waivers clear, he will be able to sign with the team of his choice. If he signs with the Rockets, he's expected to receive the league's veteran minimum salary of $2.4 million.
Rockets officials have reportedly been assuming Anthony will be heading their way after meeting with him earlier this month in Las Vegas.
