ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Thursday that the Portland Trail Blazers have signed forward Carmelo Anthony to a non-guaranteed deal.
He followed that report by stating the Anthony is set to travel with the team on their upcoming road trip this weekend.
Anthony will join the Blazers on upcoming road trip, per source. Power forward was the position that Blazers were most vulnerable and injury to Zach Collins only amplified void there. ‘Melo comes for a specific role and need.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 15, 2019
So that bodes the question...
When will Carmelo Anthony play his first game with the Blazers?
The Trail Blazers travel for a six-game road trip that begins on Saturday. Their upcoming schedule is as follows:
• Saturday, Nov. 15 at San Antonio Spurs
• Monday, Nov. 18 at Houston Rockets
• Tuesday, Nov. 19 at New Orleans Pelicans
• Thursday, Nov. 21 at Milwaukee Bucks
• Saturday, Nov. 23 at Cleveland Cavaliers
• Monday, Nov. 25 at Chicago Bulls
It's unlikely that Anthony is ready to suit up two days after signing his contract to compete against the Spurs on Saturday. That lines up perfectly for a revenge game on Monday against the team Melo last took an NBA floor for – the Rockets.
MORE: Players react to Blazers signing Melo | 7 must-see Melo games this season
Anthony played 10 games with Houston last season, averaging 13.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game on 40.5% shooting from the field and 32.8% from beyond the arc. The Rockets went 4-6 over that stretch. After a two-point performance in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Nov. 8, 2018, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey announced that the team would be parting ways with Anthony. Two months later Melo was traded to the Chicago Bulls, who waived him.
Should Monday's contest against his former team still be too soon, expect to see Anthony in action on Tuesday against the Pelicans. This would give the 35-year-old forward five days since the signing to get adjusted to the Blazers system and his new teammates.
Portland is off to a slow start after reaching the Western Conference Finals last season, starting the 2019-20 season with a 4-8 record.
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