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NBA fans were in for a surprise on Saturday when it was announced that basketball star Carmelo Anthony would be traded from the New York Knicks to the Oklahoma City Thunder, reports ESPN.

Anthony, who is a 10-time All-Star player, was traded for Enes Kanter and Doug McDermott, the news outlet writes. The trade comes after he relinquished his no-trade clause deal—something that he only agreed to do for the Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Houston Rockets—and a trade bonus that was worth $8.1 million.

Prior to the trade, there was much speculation that Anthony, 33, wasn’t happy as a New York Knick, according to Bleacher Report. He now joins standout players Russell Westbrook and Paul George,making the Oklahoma City Thunder a force to be reckoned with in the NBA’s Western Conference.

Before the trade, the future looked grim for the team. First, superstar player Kevin Durant left the Thunder last year. And this year, Westbrook, the team’s best remaining player, enters the season with only one year left in his contract. Many expected the Thunder to lose other key players, making the team uncompetitive, the Washington Post reported. 

Now that they have acquired George—who was traded in July—and Anthony, there has been buzz about the team competing in the Western Conference finals.

The news outlet reported that if plans go awry, Anthony, Westbrook, and George have the choice to leave when the season ends.

According to ESPN, Anthony has two years and $54 million left under his contract. The trade will be finalized on Monday. He’s slated to start practicing with the Thunder on Tuesday.

SOURCE: ESPN, Bleacher Report, Washington Post

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