It’s ultimately the deal that Phil Jackson lost his job trying to make. On Saturday, Carmelo Anthony’s tumultuous tenure with the New York Knicks finally came to an end.
Anthony is reportedly heading to Oklahoma City in a deal that will net the Knickerbockers Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott & 2018 second-round pick.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski dropped the “Woj Bomb” on social media.
Breaking: Knicks agree to trade Carmelo Anthony to Thunder for Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott & 2018 second-round pick, sources tell @wojespn. pic.twitter.com/zD2Q2XcqDy
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 23, 2017
Anthony will form a potent one-two punch with triple-double machine Russell Westbrook. How he adjusted to being the undisputed second option on the floor will be among some of the more interesting adjustments that he’ll be asked to make.
There’s also Paul George, who the Thunder lured in free agency this summer.
It’s safe to say Oklahoma City have the new “Big 3.”
The trade brings back some depth for the Knicks, with Enes Kanter being the obvious headlining name headed back to New York. With a big man to plant low in the post, the Knicks will now be able to have build their team Kristaps Porzingis and a young core that felt hindered by Carmelo Anthony’s stat-padding hero-ball brand.
The Knicks still have some ways to go before they can seriously compete for a championship, but moving Anthony was a move they desperately needed to make.
For Melo, he now has a better chance to win a championship and will get the fresh start that his career desperately needed. With only a few more years of effectiveness left in his body, it’s an obvious move to get the most out of his body while he can still contribute as a key player.
Can’t get enough of Campus Sports? Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to stay updated with the latest news and exclusive giveaways!
