NBA Trade Rumor Archives: Carmelo Anthony's 2014 Rockets Move Botched Due to Jeremy Lin

Carmelo Anthony tested free agency in June 2014 after exercising an early termination option in his contract with the New York Knicks. Melo reportedly had discussions with other teams, including the Houston Rockets. The uncertainty surrounding Anthony ended a month later when he re-signed with the Knicks for a five-year, $124.1 million contract, according to Spotrac.

Pat Beverley opened up about why Anthony refused to sign with the Rockets on the “Hoopin’ N Hollerin’” podcast on Sunday.

“When Melo was coming in to negotiate his free agency, he went to a whole bunch of teams. One of the teams he went to was the Houston Rockets. … Melo get there, ‘I come here, I ain’t playing with No. 7, though.’

When asked by former NBA player and host Jason Williams who the player was, Beverley responded:

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“Jeremy Lin.”

Pat Beverley added that Carmelo Anthony did not want to be involved in another “Linsanity” run. Anthony played with Jeremy Lin in New York during the 2011-12 season. During this time, Lin put together an impressive run that had the basketball world going gaga. According to Beverley, Anthony was pissed off because the Knicks thought of trading the superstar to give the “keys” to Lin.

The Rockets, after failing to land Anthony, eventually traded Lin to the LA Lakers to clear cap space. Houston reportedly tried to lure Chris Bosh, who re-signed with the Miami Heat.

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Carmelo Anthony eventually played for Houston Rockets four years after refusing to play with Jeremy Lin

Carmelo Anthony became a journeyman later in his career. After seven seasons in New York, he was traded to the OKC Thunder in 2017. Anthony’s stint with the Thunder did not last long. After one season, the team traded him to the Atlanta Hawks, who waived him.

Now a free agent, Anthony signed with the Houston Rockets, four years after refusing to join them because of Jeremy Lin. James Harden was still the franchise player while Dwight Howard had long left. Clint Capela became Harden’s lob threat and pick-and-roll partner.

Anthony joined a roster that included Chris Paul, Eric Gordon, Kenneth Faried, P.J. Tucker and Iman Shumpert. The team, the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference, lost in the semis to the Golden State Warriors in 2019.

Carmelo Anthony left Houston after one season to play with the Portland Trail Blazers. He closed his Hall of Fame career in 2022 after teaming up with LeBron James in LA.

Edited by Michael Macasero