Odds On Carmelo Anthony's Next Team
The power forward could be on his way out of Houston and on to the roster of a title contender.
The Carmelo Anthony experiment in Houston isn't working out as the Rockets had hoped. The 34-year-old power forward has started only two games and is shooting an alarming 40.5 percent from the field. Anthony, always a decent shooter from beyond the arc, is hitting just 32.8 percent of his three-pointers.
With Houston floundering a bit at 5-7, talks abound that Melo might be on the move soon.
Sportsbook BetDSI.eu has placed odds on the teams most likely to acquire Anthony. Here's a breakdown of those odds.
Carmelo Anthony's next team after the Houston Rockets (2018-19 season only).
Philadelphia 76ers +125
Los Angeles Lakers +350
Brooklyn Nets +400
Field (Any other team) - 150
The Sixers' blockbuster deal landing Jimmy Butler was a huge step in building a title contender but came at the steep cost of shipping two forwards off to Minnesota. The loss of Robert Covington, a strong one-on-one defender and solid three-point maverick, and deep shooter Dario Saric has opened a gaping hole in Philly's front line.Â
That leaves Mike Muscala, who's played in nine games and averages about eight points per game, and Wilson Chandler, who's finally returned from a hamstring injury. Are the Sixers, who have yet to find team cohesion during the Brett Brown era, willing to add another piece to the puzzle that may or may not fit?
General Manager Elton Brand, a former power forward, must have a plan in mind, but has yet to tip his cards. The 76ers need another big but is Anthony, now in his 17th NBA season, the way to go?
The Lakers don't seem to be a likely contender in the Melo sweepstakes for two reasons. First, how would team chemistry be affected by a potential LeBron James-Anthony power struggle? Second, the Lakers already have several young, capable forwards in Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram, and of course, LeBron. Despite the tepid start, expect the Lakers to figure it out by midseason without Anthony.
Brooklyn's guards, not its bigs, have propelled the team to a decent start. The trio of Jared Dudley, DeMarre Carroll and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson can all score and rebound -- if not prodigiously. The Nets' biggest concern will likely be replacing Caris LeVert, who appeared to suffer a serious injury Monday against Minnesota. Brooklyn isn't ready to compete with the Eastern Conference elite this season which makes a potential Anthony deal remote, at best.
There are about half a dozen NBA contenders who could benefit from his experience, especially the Celtics as pricy insurance if Gordon Hayward goes down again.
