Sam Amick (USA Today) on Carmelo Anthony’s potential suitors: Lakers, Rockets, Knicks, Heat / “The revelation that Carmelo Anthony won’t spend next season in Oklahoma City is hardly a surprise. Before you even get to the basketball debate, there’s an economics element that’s impossible to ignore. If the Thunder use the NBA’s stretch provision to waive Anthony by Aug. 31, they could save approximately $94 million off their payroll that skyrocketed when Paul George decided to return on a four-year, $137 million deal. The Thunder are also exploring trades for Anthony that would lead to massive savings, but he has a no-trade clause and thus would have to approve any such deal.
Monday Bolts: 7.9.18
