If you’re wondering how involved Russell Westbrook and Paul George were in getting Carmelo Anthony to Oklahoma City, we have a clear answer.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Westbrook and George were instrumental in convincing Anthony to approve a trade to the Thunder once it became clear that his preferred definition in Houston was no longer a likely outcome.
Russell Westbrook and Paul George played an immense part in getting Anthony to waive no-trade for OKC, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 23, 2017
If you go solely based on teammates, the Thunder probably would not have led Anthony’s list. In Houston, he could have played with close friend Chris Paul, while another player Anthony has a great relationship with, LeBron James, was waiting in Cleveland. Anthony has little previous with Westbrook or George, but it sounds like their intervention was enough to convince him.
The trade was reportedly agreed upon on Saturday, and will make the Thunder quite formidable in a loaded Western Conference.
