Carmelo Anthony's time in New York has reached an end, after word came yesterday that the prolific NBA scoring machine will be shipped to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a package that includes big man Enes Kanter and three-pointer specialist Doug McDermott. Anthony must waive his no-trade clause, but he is expected to do so in time for a trade call to take place on Monday (September 25th). One man who is undoubtedly excited about the deal is newly-minted Thunder forward Paul George, who was acquired from the Indiana Pacers earlier this year. According to him, the addition of Anthony brings a whole new dimension to a team that seems poised to take that proverbial next step in the NBA's Western Conference hierarchy.
“This feels like a championship team,” George told USA TODAY Sports. “I'm in a good place. I know Russ (Westbrook) is in a good place. Melo is motivated more than ever…You put us three together, who all have something to prove still, (and) we're going to be a special team. We have a young group, a lot of talent here, an unbelievable coach (in Billy Donovan), (and) as you see, a front office that's willing to do whatever it takes to improve the team. It just has all the makeups to be a great organization and a chance to put championships together.” The words might sound a little hollow to Thunder fans, especially after the experience of seeing their former blue-clad conqueror Kevin Durant depart after the team's management had made a concerted effort to bolster the roster's talent level, but there is a glimmer of hope for the OKC faithful.
Anthony's agreement to waive his no-trade clause shocked the league, since he had been reportedly set on joining the Houston Rockets, a team that added all-star point guard Chris Paul to their roster during the summer. With Carmelo set to join another squad that has designs on unseating the Golden State Warriors as the West's top dog has heightened the drama of the coming NBA season. To add to the juiciness of the this storyline, Anthony's first game as a member of the Thunder will come against the Knicks.