Parker, Howard pick new teams; Anthony may be next

Tony Parker agreed to a two-year, $10 million contract with the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, ending a 17-year run with the San Antonio Spurs. And he’s not the only veteran on the move, with Oklahoma City and Carmelo Anthony having mutually agreed to part ways and Dwight Howard set to sign with the Washington Wizards once he clears waivers.

Anthony has likely played his last game for the Oklahoma City Thunder – with the sides having mutually decided that he will not be on the team next season. It remains unclear how that departure will actually happen, as in whether it will be through a buyout, the Thunder waiving him or a trade for Anthony.

Anthony is due to make $28 million this season, his last in a fiveyear, $125 million contract he signed with New York before getting moved to Oklahoma City. He has said he will not accept a reserve role, and by parting with him – somehow – the Thunder could save more than $90 million in luxury tax payments.

Anthony averaged 16.2 points on 40 percent shooting last season, both of those were career-lows.

Howard started Friday on Charlotte’s roster, then was traded to Brooklyn – a deal agreed to days ago, but one that couldn’t be completed until Friday when the league’s offseason moratorium on player movement ended. The Nets will buy him out, which will pave the way for Howard to eventually sign with the Wizards.

– Appeal-democrat news services