The Western Conference somehow got even tougher for the revamped, hopeful Timberwolves.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports Carmelo Anthony will be traded to Oklahoma City, joining forces with league MVP Russell Westbrook and the recently acquired Paul George.
The Knicks, in return, will get Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott and a 2018 second-rounder.
Anthony had to waive his no-trade clause to allow it to happen.
It’s also a stunner for the Houston Rockets, the team that weeks ago was reportedly Anthony’s preferred destination.
Woj says the OKC-NYK trade will be finalized Monday.
Where does this leave the Timberwolves?
The Timberwolves have high hopes this year. As do outsiders.
And it was easy to see the Wolves and Thunder at least jostling for the 3-6 seed during parts of the season.
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Vegas had set Minnesota’s win total over/under at 48.5 – they’d have to be 18 wins better than last season to hit the over. Oklahoma City pre-Carmelo had already been pegged to finish a bit higher, at 51.5 victories.
The addition of Anthony has to push expectations for OKC even further up, possibly out of the Wolves’ reach.
If you gave Minnesota a 50 percent chance of finishing above OKC before the trade, that number has to go down now with a Westbrook-George-Anthony trio to contend with.
Here’s a look at both teams’ projected top 10.
The Thunder’s starting 5 might have a slight edge. Westbrook and Anthony are better than Teague and Gibson. But Wiggins and KAT should have the advantage over Roberson and Adams.
Butler and George? That might be a wash.
Could a stronger bench propel the Wolves to seriously compete with OKC?
We’ll get a good idea soon. Minnesota goes to Oklahoma City Oct. 22, for the third game of the regular season.
