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Rumor: Houston Rockets interested in signing Carmelo Anthony

By Tevin Williams

MIAMI, FL - APRIL 9: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the game against the Miami Heat on April 9, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 9: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the game against the Miami Heat on April 9, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Rockets are interested in acquiring Carmelo Anthony in free agency after his contract is bought out by the Thunder.

Last summer, the Rockets tried everything to complete a trade with the Knicks for Carmelo Anthony. Unfortunately, the two sides just couldn’t come to an agreement. However, Houston might have the opportunity to sign Melo as a free agent in the near future.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Royce Young, the Thunder plan to part ties with Anthony this summer.

If OKC were to keep Anthony, they would face an eye-watering $310 million payroll and luxury tax bill. By cutting the forward, the Thunder could save up to $100 million. Multiple teams, including Houston, have interest in signing Anthony, according to the report.

Marc Stein of the New York Times has also reported that Houston has interest in Anthony.

The Houston Rockets are among the teams that will have interest in Carmelo Anthony once he secures his free agency, according to league sources

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 6, 2018

For the Rockets, this a golden opportunity to add another scorer without giving up any players. After losing Trevor Ariza in free agency, the Rockets need to add more depth at the forward position. Anthony isn’t nearly the defender that Ariza is, but he can easily replace his scoring.

Melo had a down season last year, but he still averaged 16.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. Billy Donovan‘s system catered towards the skills of Russell Westbrook and Paul George, and Anthony looked like more of a throw-in at times.

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Anthony would see more open looks in Houston because of the play making skills of James Harden and Chris Paul. If Melo is willing to sign for the taxpayer’s mid-level exception and perhaps come off of the bench, he would add a lot of depth to Houston’s roster.

Eric Gordon, Carmelo Anthony and Gerald Green would give the Rockets three guys coming off of the bench that can catch fire in any given game. With Houston’s dynamic back court and Clint Capela in the middle, the Rockets would look very good heading into next season.