As Carmelo joins a winner Knicks get to build around Porzingis
Carmelo Anthony
The idea that the Knicks would somehow turn  Carmelo Anthony  into Blake Griffin or perhaps Kyrie Irving this summer was never more than a crazy dream by those who either didn’t notice or refused to acknowledge that  Anthony  was nowhere near the All-Star player who finished third in the 2012-13 MVP voting.
 Anthony  is still a devastating scorer  but physically  he  is no longer the leading man to carry a team. As if four straight non-playoff years in New York isn’t enough evidence  look at what the Knicks received from Oklahoma City on Saturday in return for their best player: Enes Kanter  Doug McDermott and a second-round pick.
Knicks sending  Carmelo Anthony  to OKC Thunder for 2 players  pick
The Knicks had just three options once  Carmelo  expanded  his  list to three teams 10 days ago. It was be going to be Cleveland  Houston or Oklahoma City. That’s it. Without much to work with  the Mills-Perry team had to do something to avoid training camp being hijacked by Anthony’s uncertain status.
Carmelo Anthony could never best buddy LeBron  but now heads west to challenge the mighty Warriors. (Brad Penner/USA Today Sports)
Once Anthony agreed in June that it was time to leave the Knicks  they knew they couldn’t proceed with him. They were close to a deal with Houston before and immediately after Jackson was fired  but ultimately Mills decided to pump the brakes while going through the process of hiring a GM. For nearly two months  the Knicks and  Anthony  were playing a game of chicken until  Anthony  blinked first and said  he  would waive  his  no-trade for the Cavs and Thunder as well.
8 defining moments of  Carmelo Anthony's  career with the Knicks
Both sides were wise to wait  and in the end  this works out beautifully for  Anthony .  He  gets two superstar teammates in Russell Westbrook and Paul George and joins an organization that is regarded as first class in every way. Even in the mighty Western Conference  the Thunder will be a playoff team  but good luck trying to upend the Golden State Warriors.
 Carmelo Anthony  can still score but isn't the kind of player that can carry a team. (L.E. Miller / New York Daily News )
For example  OKC was scouting  Anthony  as far back as January. Thunder assistant GM Troy Weaver recruited  Anthony  to Syracuse and the two have remained close. Presti thought that relationship could help. He was right. That’s called due diligence.
Assuming Westbrook re-signs   Anthony  won’t have the pressure of needing to score 25 points a night to give his team a chance to win. He’ll face fewer double teams and he’ll be embraced by a franchise that is big on culture and treating its players like family.
Boeheim on  Carmelo Anthony  trade: 'He deserves a chance to win'
This is a good time in  Anthony ’s career to leave the bustling city and the perennial dysfunction at Madison Square Garden for a quiet  family life in Oklahoma City.  He  still gets  his  money and a better team while the Knicks get role players and a chance to rebuild.
The idea that the Knicks would somehow turn  [TGT]into Blake Griffin or perhaps Kyrie Irving this summer was never more than a crazy dream by those who either didn’t notice or refused to acknowledge that  Anthony  was nowhere near the All-Star player who finished third in the 2012-13 MVP voting.
 Anthony  is still a devastating scorer  but physically  he  is no longer the leading man to carry a team. As if four straight non-playoff years in New York isn’t enough evidence  look at what the Knicks received from Oklahoma City on Saturday in return for their best player: Enes Kanter  Doug McDermott and a second-round pick.
Knicks sending  [TGT]to OKC Thunder for 2 players  pick
The Knicks had just three options once  Carmelo  expanded  his  list to three teams 10 days ago. It was be going to be Cleveland  Houston or Oklahoma City. That’s it. Without much to work with  the Mills-Perry team had to do something to avoid training camp being hijacked by Anthony’s uncertain status.
[TGT] could never best buddy LeBron  but now heads west to challenge the mighty Warriors. (Brad Penner/USA Today Sports)
Once [TGT] agreed in June that it was time to leave the Knicks  they knew they couldn’t proceed with him. They were close to a deal with Houston before and immediately after Jackson was fired  but ultimately Mills decided to pump the brakes while going through the process of hiring a GM. For nearly two months  the Knicks and  Anthony  were playing a game of chicken until  Anthony  blinked first and said  he  would waive  his  no-trade for the Cavs and Thunder as well.
8 defining moments of  Carmelo Anthony's  career with the Knicks
Both sides were wise to wait  and in the end  this works out beautifully for  Anthony .  He  gets two superstar teammates in Russell Westbrook and Paul George and joins an organization that is regarded as first class in every way. Even in the mighty Western Conference  the Thunder will be a playoff team  but good luck trying to upend the Golden State Warriors.
 Carmelo Anthony  can still score but isn't the kind of player that can carry a team. (L.E. Miller / New York Daily News )
For example  OKC was scouting  Anthony  as far back as January. Thunder assistant GM Troy Weaver recruited  Anthony  to Syracuse and the two have remained close. Presti thought that relationship could help. He was right. That’s called due diligence.
Assuming Westbrook re-signs   Anthony  won’t have the pressure of needing to score 25 points a night to give his team a chance to win. He’ll face fewer double teams and he’ll be embraced by a franchise that is big on culture and treating its players like family.
Boeheim on  Carmelo Anthony  trade: 'He deserves a chance to win'
This is a good time in  Anthony ’s career to leave the bustling city and the perennial dysfunction at Madison Square Garden for a quiet  family life in Oklahoma City.  He  still gets  his  money and a better team while the Knicks get role players and a chance to rebuild.