What’s Next For Melo?

Many of Carmelo Anthony’s critics claim that the 10-time All-Star never really cared about his teams and that he always has been only in it for the money. This is why everyone expected him to opt-into his 2018-19 deal with the Thunder worth $27.9 million.

Melo then was traded to the Atlanta Hawks but never played a minute for them and was bought out of his contract. Houston then signed him and was hopeful that he could improve their team.

Only a couple of weeks have past since and it seems as Carmelo Anthony already is done in Houston. Melo has become disgruntled with his role on a Rockets squad that’s struggling. Anthony definitely isn’t the sole problem of the team. But it kind of is his own fault why he’s the scapegoat. Rockets players and coaches believe that Carmelo Anthony won’t be playing another game for the Rockets and Melo’s team is already looking for potential new teams, once he gets waived.

But what’s next for Melo? Multiple reports say that the 76ers and Lakers are two of the teams interested in Melo if he becomes available. The biggest question though remains Melo’s mindset.

​His game is rapidly decreasing, which is normal when players get to a certain age and aren’t named LeBron James (how is this even possible?). But Melo’s inability to change his game and become relevant in a lesser role, or his inabilty to accept the decrease of his on-court talents, has made it harder for him, than for other former star players. Tracy McGrady is one of the people who suggest that Melo should retire.

“You know what? I honestly think Melo should retire, I really do. I don’t want him to go through another situation like this, and people are just pouring negativity on this man’s legacy. I really think, because it hasn’t worked out the last two teams, just go ahead and — you have a Hall of Fame career — just go ahead and let it go.”

 

Tracy McGrady says Carmelo Anthony should retire – for his own sake. (Interesting to note that TMac retired at 34, the same age Melo is now & has said that after spending his career as his teams' primary scorer, just hanging around in a player-coach/deep-bench role had no appeal) pic.twitter.com/kew12S9Ift

— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) November 13, 2018

I don’t think Anthony is ready to retire and wants to prove everybody wrong. While the Sixers, who are in desperate need of some shooting, would indeed be a team in need of someone like Melo, I’m thinking this situation has written Warriors all over it. A almost definite championship would probably be the only thing keeping Melo from wanting to play 25+ minutes each game. He could collect the gold and then retire after the season.