Knicks finally trade Melo; heads to OKC
The New York Knicks agreed to trade Carmelo Anthony to the Oklahoma City Thunder yesterday for Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott and a draft pick, a person with knowledge of the deal said.
The person spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade had not been announced.
A day after saying they expected their All-Star forward to be at training camp tomorrow, the Knicks finally found a trade they were seeking since last season. It puts Anthony into a loaded Oklahoma City lineup that includes NBA MVP Russell Westbrook and Paul George, who was acquired from Indiana this summer.
Anthony will see his old teammates soon: The Knicks open the regular season at Oklahoma City on Oct. 19.
Anthony agreed to waive his no-trade clause to complete the deal, which was first reported by The Vertical. It saves the Knicks and their longtime star from what could have been an awkward reunion next week.
Golf: Casey shoots ahead
Paul Casey shot a 5-under 65 to build a 2-shot lead in the Tour Championship. That leaves him one round away from ending eight years without winning on the PGA Tour in the biggest way possible.
Casey holed a 40-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole and escaped with par on the closing hole at East Lake in Atlanta.
He was at 12-under 198, 2 shots ahead of Kevin Kisner (64) and PGA Tour rookie Xander Schauffele (65). Casey’s only PGA Tour victory was in 2009 at the Houston Open. A victory today might be enough to also give him the FedEx Cup and the $10 million bonus.
Justin Thomas had to rally for a 70 and fell 5 shots behind. He’s still in the hunt for the FedEx Cup. …
Bernhard Langer birdied the 18th hole to salvage an indifferent back nine and move a shot ahead of Kenny Perry after two rounds of the PURE Insurance Championship in Pebble Beach, Calif., putting the German star in position for his fifth victory this year.
Misc.: Breakers blank Washington
Natasha Dowie netted the game-winning goal and Abby Smith stopped three shots as the Boston Breakers topped the Washington Spirit in NWSL action in Boyds, Md. …
Alvaro Morata showcased his skills with a hat trick as Chelsea defeated Stoke, 4-0, in London. …
North Carolina’s national championship men’s basketball team will not visit the White House because of a scheduling conflict.
A school spokesman that Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams and the players were willing to go, and the university and White House tried “eight or nine” dates but none worked.
NFL: Lions stick with Caldwell
The Detroit Lions confirmed they signed head coach Jim Caldwell to a multiyear deal months ago.
Caldwell has a 29-21 record in Detroit over threeplus seasons. …
Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Jason Verrett will undergo season-ending knee surgery for the second consecutive year.