The Oklahoma City Thunder landed another big star on Saturday as they acquired Carmelo Anthony from the New York Knicks, and they owe the Chicago Bulls a thank-you note.
The deal, first reported by ace NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski, sent Anthony to the Thunder in exchange for center Enes Kanter, forward Doug McDermott, and a second round draft pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.
Bulls fans will immediately recognize two of the pieces in the trade, as McDermott and the second-round pick were both sent to the Thunder in the February trade that sent Taj Gibson to Oklahoma City in exchange for three players, including Cameron Payne.
Payne just underwent surgery to repair a broken bone in his foot, and it’s unclear when he will return to action. Gibson signed a free agent deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves this offseason.
The other two players in the trade, Joffrey Lauvergne and Anthony Morrow, are no longer on the Bulls’ roster.
Meanwhile, the Thunder continue to get richer, as they also acquired Paul George in a trade earlier this offseason. Along with Russell Westbrook, the new big trio will hope to compete with teams like the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets in the daunting Western Conference this season.
