Rockets To Trade Carmelo Anthony To Bulls, All-Star Expected To Then Be Waived; NBA Fans React

Houston Rockets forward Carmelo Anthony is set to join a new team: the Chicago Bulls.

Bulls Will Likely Release Anthony Immediately

The Rockets announced late Monday that 10-time All-Star “Melo” — who will be 35 in May — will be traded to the Bulls along with cash considerations.

However, the Chicago Tribune’s K.C. Johnson reported that Anthony is expected to be released by Chicago immediately after he clears waivers.  The trade couldn’t officially be completed Monday due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday. Anthony, a former New York Knicks star, is still owed $2.4 million this season. Should the Bulls take on this remaining salary, the Rockets would save $2.6 million after the luxury tax is taken into account.

Anthony has been looking for a new team since Nov. 11, when it was first reported that his time in Houston was ending after only ten games. The veteran forward was relegated to a bench role with the Rockets early this season, following his reported weak start with the franchise. Soon afterwards, news outlets started speculating where Anthony might end up next. The Los Angeles Lakers, the New Orleans Pelicans and the Philadelphia 76ers were all among the projected landing spots for Anthony at some point.

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NBA fans were quick to share GIFS and other funny reactions on Twitter to comment on the news about Anthony:

Despite a sluggish start to the season, the Rockets (26-20) are now fifth in the Western Conference thanks to masterful performances from players like MVP James Harden. Houston lost to the Sixers 121-93 in Philly on Monday night and next visit the Knicks on Wednesday. The Rockets won four of ten games during the stretch that Anthony played for them: in that period, Anthony averaged only 13.4 points on 40.5 percent shooting from the field and 32.8 percent from the 3-point line.

The Bulls (11-36) are 13th in the East. Chicago defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 104-88 on Monday but before that lost ten straight games.