Carmelo may bolt OKC
Carmelo Anthony could be one and done in Oklahoma City.
Four days after Anthony told reporters that he won’t accept a bench role with the Thunder, team president Sam Presti hinted that Anthony may have no other choice if he wants to remain in OKC.
“He’s being candid and honest,’’ Presti said of Melo on Wednesday. “We have the same responsibility. We have to be candid and honest with him.’’
Anthony, who averaged a career-low 16.4 points, can become a free agent this summer if he elects not to exercise the opt-in clause in his contract that would pay him $27.9 million.
Considering the market and Anthony’s diminishing skills it would seem unwise for him to turn down nearly $28 million.
The other alternative would be for Anthony to negotiate a buyout, which may interest the Thunder.
“I think everybody has their own decision to make,’’ Anthony said.
Presti traded Enes Kanter and Doug McDermott to the Knicks in September for Anthony. Kanter had a solid season while McDermott was eventually moved in a deal for point guard Emmanuel Mudiay.
That was one of two off-season trades that backfired on Presti. In June, OKC acquired Paul George from the Indiana Pacers for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. The Thunder were knocked out of the first round by Utah and George could leave as a free agent in July. Meanwhile, Oladipo became an All Star.
It has been a rough few years for the Thunder organization, which two years ago lost Kevin Durant in free agency. In 2012, Presti traded James Harden to Houston, a deal that may go down as one of the worst in league history. Harden is the favorite to be league MVP this year.
Anthony, 33, struggled in his role as the third option on a team featuring Russell Westbrook and George. In OKC’s final two games Anthony was benched for most of the fourth quarters.
“As far as being effective as that type of player, I don’t think I can be effective as that type of player,’’Anthony said. “It wasn’t no strategy to me being here, me being a part of the actual system and what type of player.”
Anthony was close to being traded to Houston last summer but when Phil Jackson was fired Steve Mills pulled back, believing he could find a better deal.
The Knicks did just that. And now Melo could be looking for a new home this summer.