It was a wild summer for Carmelo Anthony. Between Phil Jackson getting fired, feuds with the coaches, and the swirling trade rumors, there was no shortage of things to talk about. In one of the more interesting “what-if” scenarios, Anthony believed he was going to be traded to Houston. According to ESPN’s Ian Begley, Carmelo was so convinced he was bound for the Rockets that he drew up scenarios of how Houston could defend and attack the Golden State Warriors.
Anthony envisioned teaming up with good friend Chris Paul and perennial MVP-snub James Harden to create a powerhouse in Houston. There was also allegedly a plan in place for LeBron James to come to the Rockets next summer. The plan was so set in stone, Carmelo reportedly had schematics of how that Rockets team could defend and defeat the champion Warriors.
Begley mentions one trade scenario that involved the Knicks, Rockets, and Milwaukee Bucks. In that trade, the injured Jabari Parker would have been headed to New York. He mentions that the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers also inquired on Anthony, but nothing came to of it. Blazers star point guard Damian Lillard even tried to convince Carmelo that Portland is a good spot to play.
Drama in the NBA is never-ending and it seems to always gravitate around Carmelo Anthony. But a team-up of stars in Houston is still possible next season if the Oklahoma City Thunder implode and LeBron leaves Cleveland again. As Kevin Garnett said, anything is possible.
