The Oklahoma City Thunder and veteran forward Carmelo Anthony will part ways via trade or buyout this offeseason.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Royce Young, OKC and Carmelo Anthony’s agent are working on a way to trade him, utilize a stretch deal or buyout.

This process will save the Thunder more than $100 million in salary and luxury tax for this upcoming season, seeing as they are at an NBA-record $310 million payroll and luxury tax bill. Melo recently opted in one-year contract option to remain with Oklahoma City for the 2018-2019 season, which is valued at $27.9 million.

If and when Carmelo becomes available, Houston seems like a prime landing spot for Anthony, according to New York Times’ Marc Stein. Both parties separating seems beneficial as the veteran forward has explained how his role with the Thunder was not effective when it came to his playing style.

“As far as being effective as that type of player,” Anthony said according to Norman transcripts’ Fred Katz, “I don’t think I can be effective as that type of player. I think I was willing to accept that challenge in that role, but I think I bring a little bit more to the game as far as being more knowledgeable and what I still can do as a basketball player.”

Anthony, 34, averaged career-low 16.2 points with 5.8 rebounds and 1.3 assist, shooting 40.4 percent from the floor and 35.7 percent from behind the arc. The 2017-2018 season marked the first time the 10-time NBA all-star averaged less than 20 points a game for the season.

This will mark the end of the establishment of OKC’s big three, Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Anthony.

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