Houston Rockets news: Carmelo Anthony team role REVEALED after physical completed
THE HOUSTON ROCKETS moved one step closer to confirming the signing of Carmelo Anthony after the former Atlanta Hawks man completed a physical assessment for the team today.
Anthony, 34, is currently in Houston to finalise the deal before putting pen to paper on a one-year $2.4m veteran’s minimum contract.
The former New York Knicks man endured a season to forget in Oklahoma City last year, unsuccessfully attempting to change his style of play to mesh with fellow superstars Carmelo Anthony and Paul George as the team were dumped out in the first round of the playoffs.
Anthony finished the season averaging career-worst marks in both field goal percentage and points-per-game but Houston have offered the veteran star another chance to compete for a title with a low-risk deal next year.
ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski claims the Western Conference giants are unlikely to make Anthony a starter, instead offering a backup role next season.
Wojnarowski wrote: “The Rockets are expected to bring Anthony off the bench this season, signing him after winning an NBA-best 65 regular-season games and pushing the Golden State Warriors to a seven-game series in the Western Conference finals.”
Anthony has previously baulked at suggestions he is ready to accept a bench role in the NBA but his close relationship with team leader Chris Paul and conversations with general manager Daryl Morey appear to have convinced the 10-time All-Star to change his mind.
Hoops fans appeared delighted with the news after it appeared on social media site Reddit earlier today, with one writing: “Really hoping Melo works out for the Rockets, man.
“Need them to beat the Warriors this year.”
Another wrote: “Excited what he can bring to the team this year.
“I have high hopes he will make a comeback and revamp his game again.”
“I think he’ll fit well there. I hope he plays better than last season,” added a third.