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It’s been a while now (over two weeks), since it was initially reported that the Houston Rockets would sign Carmelo Anthony to a 1-year, $2.4 million veteran’s minimum contract following his trade to the Atlanta Hawks and subsequent buyout.
It’s also now been over a week since the the Hawks paid almost all of Melo’s $28 million salary (minus the $2.4 million he is supposed to sign for) for him to not be part of the team, and we’ve heard nothing but crickets on the signing front. It’s caused many to wonder aloud what’s really going on, what the hold up is, and even if the deal is still happening.
Well, yesterday, it was confirmed by Marc Stein that Anthony still has every intention of signing with the Rockets, he’s just been unavailable due to travel commitments with the NBA Africa trip.
Carmelo Anthony is still very much signing with Houston, as league sources have indicated since July 23, but Melo has been part of the @TheNBPA’s traveling party on the #NBAAfrica trip since clearing waivers last week https://t.co/vcUIrR7aBq
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 6, 2018
The NBA Africa trip featured a series of three games between a World team and an African squad, and the week also included a Basketball Without Borders skills camp and various charitable activities that saw the NBA help a plethora of organizations, including the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Africa, SOS Children’s Villages South Africa (SOSCVSA) and UNICEF.
With the week over and the NBA players likely on their way back to the states, it’s probably not going to be long now before Anthony officially signs. So fret not, Houston fans. It’s only a matter of time before Melo is donning our beloved Rockets red.