Melo heading for free agency, eyeing Rockets deal

Carmelo Anthony was granted his wish. He’s headed to free agency, able to pick the team of his choosing.

Hopefully for Anthony, it winds up better than the last time he requested a trade.

The Thunder agreed to move Anthony and a protected 2022 firstround pick to the Hawks on Thursday afternoon as part of a threeteam deal. According to reports, the Hawks then will either waive Anthony or buy out his contract, which would make the former Knick a free agent.

The trade also will send point guard Dennis Schroder from Atlanta to Oklahoma City and ship forward Mike Muscala to the 76ers, Yahoo Sports reported. Also in the deal, the 76ers will send Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot to the Thunder and Justin Anderson to the Hawks.

The Rockets, with a need on the wing after losing Trevor Ariza (Suns) and Luc Mbah a Moute (Clippers) in free agency, are the reported front-runners to land Anthony. That would mean a reunion with coach Mike D’Antoni, who Anthony clashed with in his time with the Knicks. Anthony met with the Rockets and the Heat this offseason in Las Vegas.

After acquiring Jeremy Lin from the Nets last week and trading up to nab Oklahoma star Trae Young in the draft, Atlanta was looking to move Schroder, who has three years and $46.5 million left on his contract, creating cap space for seasons beyond this coming one. The 24year-old German guard is coming off the best of his five NBA seasons, averaging 19.4 points, 6.2 assists and 3.1 rebounds in 67 games.

The Thunder were looking to move the 34-year-old Anthony after he opted in to his $27.9 million player option. This trade allows Oklahoma City to save $62 million in luxury tax and $73 million alto- gether, ESPN reported, and it adds a productive player, Schroder, who fits its roster.

Less than a year ago, Anthony was traded by the Knicks to the Thunder (one of three teams, along with the Rockets and Cavaliers, for which Anthony was willing to waive his no-trade clause), but that move didn’t work out.

Instead of forming a big three with Russell Westbrook and Paul George, Anthony was more like a third wheel. Anthony notched career-lows of 16.2 points and 32.1 minutes per game, while shooting just 40.4 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from 3-point range. He moved to power forward and had the ball in his hands far less than he was accustomed to. He struggled in the playoffs, and after an openinground exit, expressed displeasure with his role. Anthony also pushed back against the idea of coming off the bench, saying he didn’t believe he could be effective in that role.

If Anthony does wind up with the Rockets, he likely would slide into Ariza’s starting spot at small forward, though the 10-time All-Star would take a back seat on the offensive end to reigning MVP James Harden and Chris Paul, his close friend.