The New York Knicks have traded Carmelo Anthony to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Find out what the Knicks will be receiving in return.
With mere days remaining until training camp, news broke that Carmelo Anthony was ramping up his efforts to be traded by the New York Knicks. After previously telling the Knicks that he’d only accept a trade to the Houston Rockets, Anthony has expanded his list.
Less than 24 hours after news broke that Anthony would accept a trade to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Knicks granted his wish.
Anthony’s desire to join the Rockets was based on the fact that he’d be joining a contender that’s led by one of his closest friends. Once the trade to Houston fell through, however, Anthony saw the writing on the wall.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Knicks and Thunder have agreed to a trade that will send Anthony to Oklahoma City in exchange for Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott, and a draft pick.
New York has agreed to a deal to send Carmelo Anthony to OKC for Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott and a draft pick, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 23, 2017
The Knicks will also receive a second-round draft pick from Oklahoma City, via the Chicago Bulls.
Sources: OKC will send New York a 2018 second-round pick via Chicago.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 23, 2017
Per Woj, it was Paul George and Russell Westbrook who helped convince Anthony to waive his no-trade clause.
Russell Westbrook and Paul George played an immense part in getting Anthony to waive no-trade for OKC, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 23, 2017
After months of anticipation, the biggest remaining domino in the NBA has officially fallen.
Anthony spent the past seven seasons with the Knicks, leading the franchise to its first and only division title since 1994. He led New York to its first and only 50-win season since 2000, as well as its first and only postseason series victory since 2000.
The three postseason appearances with Anthony are more than the franchise made between 2001 and 2010—the pre-Melo years—combined.
Anthony will now have an opportunity to pursue an elusive NBA championship to go with his NCAA title and record three Olympic gold medals.
As for New York, Kanter is one of the premier pick and roll big men in the NBA, and McDermott is a lights-out three-point shooter. Both struggled to find playing time in Oklahoma City, but the talent level was rarely questioned.
The hope appears to be that both players can excel under head coach Jeff Hornacek in his motion offense come 2017-18.
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Thank you for the memories, Carmelo Anthony. You were the face of the New York Knicks for seven resurgent seasons.
Once a Knick, always a Knick.