When the Oklahoma City Thunder traded Carmelo Anthony to the Atlanta Hawks for Dennis Schroder and Mike Muscala (who was then sent to the Philadelphia 76ers), it was universally seen as the right move by the Thunder.
Anthony struggled throughout the 2017-18 season, averaging career lows in points (16.2) and minutes (32.1) per game while shooting a career-low field goal percentage (40.4), per Basketball-Reference. He often seemed to be out of rhythm trying to fit beside the playmaking styles of Russell Westbrook and Paul George.
However, Anthony is a 10-time All-Star and his scoring talent is often understated. Furthermore, despite his preference to make plays off the bounce, he made 37.8 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3s for the Thunder last year, per NBA.com, showing that he can still be spot-up threat.
Perhaps it’s Anthony’s forgotten talent and proof that makes George think if Anthony bought-in, he could have fit in Oklahoma.
When asked by ESPN’s Royce Young if Anthony playing elsewhere would be beneficial to he, Westbrook and the Thunder, George was open to the idea that it could have worked with Anthony, though he’s under no illusion that they were a perfect fit in their lone season together.
“No. I mean, we had a short stint together so who knows, this year could have been our year. We were trying to learn things on the fly last year. It was a learning experience for everybody.
“We could’ve very well been a different team coming into this year, knowing that we’ve had a year under our belt. We know what works, what didn’t work for us and we worked through that. So, you never know.”
Paul George asked if Carmelo Anthony being elsewhere could be beneficial for he and Russell Westbrook this season: “No. I mean, we had a short stint together so who knows, this year could’ve been our year.” pic.twitter.com/IJrFTuqsHa
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) October 2, 2018
Anthony now plays for the Houston Rockets, where he’s expected to be a tertiary threat much like he was for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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