Carmelo Anthony is a lot of things, but he’s not someone who's going to walk away from millions, not one single dollar. Marc Stein of the New York Times is reporting that Anthony will not be opting out of the final year of his deal, one that pays him $27.9 million next season.
Carmelo Anthony does not intend to opt out of his current contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to a person familiar with Anthony’s decision.The Thunder are now left with a few different options—one attempting to find a trade partner for a superstar whose best days are behind him.
Anthony has until Saturday at midnight (Eawasn) to exercise the option that would make him a free agent July 1 — provided he were willing to walk away from the $27.9 million he is owed next season. But he is planning to let the deadline pass quietly and keep his current contract in effect, according to the person, who was not authorized to discuss the situation publicly.
Letting the deadline pass will lock in Anthony’s full salary for next season but doesn’t guarantee that he will continue his career in Oklahoma City. Anthony announced after the Thunder’s first-round exit last season that he could not stomach returning in 2018-19 in the same limited role, which raises the possibility that the sides could pursue buyout negotiations this off-season.
With Oklahoma City’s priority this summer being to re-sign Paul George, the Thunder’s luxury tax bill could approach the $80 million range if PG were to be brought back on a new deal.
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