Carmelo Anthony, Rockets Officially Parting Ways: Report

Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Houston Rockets warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on October 20, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

Carmelo Anthony's short stint with the Houston Rockets is reportedly over.

The Rockets have released Anthony after 10 regular season games and are expected to make a formal announcement prior to Thursday night's game against the Golden State Warriors, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Houston reportedly has no plans to immediately waive the 10-time all-star and will continue to allow his representatives to explore other options for the veteran forward.

On Monday, league sources told ESPN that Anthony's reps gathered information from NBA front offices and both sides are privately expressing surprise at how quickly the Rockets are reportedly looking to end their partnership with the veteran forward.

Anthony, who signed with Houston this past Summer, was away from the team for the third consecutive game Tuesday night in Denver, although the organization previously claimed he has an illness.

The 10-time All-Star appeared in only 10 games during his first season with the team before head coach Mike D'Antoni announced his decision to give rookie Gary Clark a more prominent role in the Rockets' rotation, which will limit Anthony's playing time.

The 34-year-old was reportedly still eager to contribute for Houston, despite rumors of the team looking to part ways with him, sources told ESPN on Monday.

Anthony chose to take on a smaller role in order to join the Rockets -- who finished with the best regular season record in the Western Conference last year -- rather than take on a more prominent role elsewhere.

Houston's sudden disinterest in keeping the veteran forward has forced potential suitors to search for information and answers on how to proceed with signing him. The Rockets have struggled during their first month of the season and still look to contend for a title after being eliminated in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals.

Anthony's play was inconsistent through his first 20 games, but he still managed to have a 28-point performance during a road win against the Brooklyn Nets on Nov. 2 and back-to-back 24- and 22-point games in late October losses against the Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz.

However, the former All-Star's defensive play has been lackluster, although that's been the case in recent years, so it's still surprising that Houston is looking to part ways so quickly.

"We've been extremely happy with his approach," Rockets general manager Daryl Morey told reporters on Sunday despite reports of the team wanting to part ways with Anthony. "Every reason we've brought him here, he's followed."

Assuming he's released, Anthony would be paid the veteran's minimum $2.4 million once he's claimed on waivers, or if he clears waivers and becomes a free agent.

The veteran forard is eligibile to sign immediately with a new team, but could also weigh his options in order to find the best fit possible.

Several general managers and coaches confirmed to ESPN that they've held discussions about whether adding the former All-Star could help their teams.

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