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Are the Washington Wizards a Viable Landing Spot for Carmelo Anthony if He’s Bought Out?

By Ryan Eugene

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 17: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks dribbles into Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center on November 17, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 17: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks dribbles into Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center on November 17, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Washington Wizards fans have been divided on the idea of bringing Carmelo Anthony to D.C. for three years now. Because of his scoring abilities, ability to play small forward and power forward, and him being from Baltimore, it seemed like a logical and possible fit. So what about now?

The ongoing stalemate that has been going on between Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks seems like it’s taken place ever since he signed his contract extension in the summer of 2014.

Melo, now 33, still has two years and around $56 million left on his contract. Despite his age and contract, he is still a borderline All-Star, and would command plenty of interest via a trade, except for the fact that the Knicks gave him a no-trade clause in his contract.

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Throughout the season, he rejected most efforts to trade for him, and it seemed that the Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers would be the only teams he would accept a trade to.

Earlier in the week, Frank Isola of the New York Daily News dropped a story, detailing a previous willingness of Anthony to accept a trade to Washington or Philadelphia. Melo’s desire stemmed from the fact that he could remain in close proximity to his son Kiyan, who would remain in New York if his father was traded.

Carmelo has of course had some marital problems in the last few months, but his wife Lala reiterated similar thoughts while on The Wendy Williams Show this week.

"“The most important thing with that is just to stay close to Kiyan,” La La Anthony said during the interview, when asked about reports of Anthony being traded. “That’s my priority, that’s his priority. So wherever he ends up, of course we want him to be happy.”"

While, Melo was growing reluctant to leaving New York at all, recent reports claim Anthony is working with Knicks’ management to come to an agreement on a buyout. There are many reasons a buyout is more enticing to Anthony.

Since he has a no trade clause he can basically choose the team he would be dealt to. But, a buyout would allow Melo to join a team for the veteran’s minimum, making it likely he could go to a team of his choice. That team by virtue of signing him at a cheap price, wouldn’t have to deal one of its key pieces, like Kevin Love for instance. Melo saw firsthand the impact that being dealt to New York for essentially the whole starting lineup had on the franchise’s winning potential.

Wednesday morning brought two key factors to the possibility of Carmelo Anthony leaving New York via buyout.

First, the Knicks fired team President Phil Jackson. Jackson leaves New York 1200 days after he signed, and made a cool $60 Million in the process, or $50,000 a day. Besides drafting Kristaps Porzingis, his lasting legacy will be trying to force Carmelo to accept a trade. Jackson had harsh and blunt words about the future of Anthony in New York, leading the National Basketball Players’ Union to speak up.

"“We have not been able to win with him on the court at this time and I think the direction with our team is that he is a player that would be better off somewhere else and using his talent somewhere he can win or chase that championship,” Jackson said."

With Jackson out, Melo could go one of two ways. His life in New York probably got easier without having to deal with the headaches that Jackson brought. Maybe he decides that he wants to play out his contract in New York. The problem with that route, is he’ll be 35 at the end of his contract, and knows that his legacy could certainly be improved.

Alternatively, he could now negotiate a buyout with James Dolan, something Jackson may have been unwilling to do, wanting some sort of return for the 33-year old All-Star.

The second big news of the day was the sudden and shocking trade of Chris Paul to Houston. We know those two are part of the “banana boat” crew (although Melo didn’t take the ride) and at this point in Melo’s career playing with friends and winning should be very enticing.

Now I know you’re thinking, “Houston isn’t close to New York!” That’s true. A nonstop flight is between three and a half, and four hours. But going to Houston, would probably be the best mix of factors for him.

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He could likely make the conference championship, start and play a lot of minutes at small forward, and still be in a major city. Don’t forget, Houston was one of Melo’s last three choices in 2014, with Chicago and New York being the others.

He could also go to Cleveland, and play with another banana boater in LeBron James, but it’s also Cleveland, which he’s gone back and forth about as a city he’d like to live in.

In the end, assuming Melo is bought out, it really would come down to Melo’s desire to win games versus be close to New York City. Going to Houston could potentially bring more success, but the flight is also two hours longer.

If we can believe Stephen A. Smith’s sources, it seems H-Town is the immediate desire for Carmelo. It could also be a landing spot for Paul George, which could change Houston’s desire to sign Melo, or Melo’s desire to sign in Houston. What an insane start to the offseason.

Next: Wizards 2017 Season Review: Bradley Beal

Although John Wall has told management the importance of acquiring a third star, this one isn’t really in the teams’ hand. If Melo gets bought out, and wants to come to DC, he’ll be here. If he wants to play with his friend Chris Paul, he’ll head to Houston. They do say patience is a virtue…

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