The Carmelo Anthony era with the Chicago Bulls is over.
The Bulls have waived the former All-Star forward, clearing the way for him to become a free agent. Anthony is then expected to clear waivers and will then have a better sense of where he will land next after roster movement settles down after the trade deadline (Feb. 7).
In addition to that move on Friday, the Bulls also acquired swingman Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and cash considerations from the Oklahoma City Thunder for a protected 2020 second-round Draft pick.
Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers remain a possibility for Anthony. They could sign him beyond the trade deadline and would need to have him on the roster by March 1, the NBA’s playoff eligibility waiver deadline.
Anthony is expected to clear waivers and will then have a better sense of a possible destination with league-wide roster movement post-trade deadline. The Lakers remain a real possibility for 'Melo beyond Thursday's deadline, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/6ySgYf3Nh8
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 1, 2019
Assuming Carmelo Anthony is official waived by 5 PM today, as @espn reports, he will finally secure his free agency Sunday at 5 PM after clearing waivers — 85 days after he was banished by the Rockets
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 1, 2019
The Bulls acquired the draft rights to Jon Diebler and cash considerations in exchange for the rights to Tadija Dragicevic. The Bulls had no plans to play Anthony had been looking to either trade the 10-time All-Star before the Feb. 7 deadline or ultimately waive him and make him a free agent.
Anthony averaged 13.4 points in 10 games with the Rockets. He has not played since Nov. 8. Anthony was traded by Oklahoma City to Atlanta in July, a move that preceded the Hawks releasing him to sign with the Rockets. The Bulls, technically, are Anthony’s fourth franchise in seven months.
Anthony was the No. 3 pick in the star-studded 2003 draft class that also included No. 1 LeBron James, No. 4 Chris Bosh and No. 5 Dwyane Wade. He has averaged 24.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in his career.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
