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According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Carmelo Anthony is finally on the move:
The Houston Rockets have agreed to trade Carmelo Anthony and cash to the Chicago Bulls, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 21, 2019
As Woj explains, this wasn’t necessarily for the specific reason of getting veteran Kenneth Faried signed in time to play tonight:
The NBA office will not execute the trade today because it's a holiday, league sources tell ESPN. To clear the way for Kenneth Faried to sign and play tonight in Philadelphia, Rockets had to waive to James Nunnally. Trade call on 'Melo will likely be Tuesday. https://t.co/Oo2IA0nsJP
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 21, 2019
Faried had recently agreed to a buyout with the Brooklyn Nets in order to join the Houston Rockets. The Rockets need help down low after losing center Clint Capela for 4-6 weeks with a wrist injury.
As for Anthony, he’ll likely never suit up for the Bulls, and will likely become an unrestricted free agent:
Anthony won't play a game for the Bulls, league source tells ESPN. He will be released and become a free agent if he clears waivers. https://t.co/Oo2IA0nsJP
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 21, 2019
But there is a chance that the Bulls could hold on to him for a couple weeks to see if he has any value on the trade market:
Carmelo Anthony will not play a game for the Bulls, but it is possible that franchise holds off on waiving him until the trade deadline, league sources tell ESPN. Bulls could include him in a one-for-one trade, but can't aggregate his contract in another deal.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 21, 2019
Anyone want to take odds on how soon we’ll see Melo teaming up with LeBron James in purple and gold? If not, would you want him in Portland?