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Oklahoma City Thunder: What acquiring Carmelo Anthony means

By Brayden Baine

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 12: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks falls into the crowd as he goes after a ball in the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden on April 12, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 12: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks falls into the crowd as he goes after a ball in the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden on April 12, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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What acquiring Carmelo Anthony means for the Oklahoma City Thunder and their fans heading into the 2017-18 NBA season

This NBA offseason has been filled with a lot of excitement. From Paul George being traded to Oklahoma City to Kevin Durant’s social media antics, the NBA just hasn’t stopped. Now it just got even better. The New York Knicks have FINALLY traded Carmelo Anthony…to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Everybody has been sitting around for the past year just wondering when Melo was going to get traded. A lot of speculation all year was that he was going to be traded to the Cavs or the Rockets, but then Oklahoma City shocked everyone for the second time this offseason and was able to slip in and get the trade.

The Thunder sent Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott, and a future second-round pick in exchange for Anthony.

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McDermott was involved in one of the biggest trades last season when he  was acquired by the Thunder at the trade deadline. Even though he wasn’t with the team for only half of a season, he was very well liked by Thunder fans.

Kanter, who was with the Thunder for two and a half seasons, was loved by his teammates and especially OKC fans. Even with all of the criticisms made about his defense, his teammates were always with him and the fans always defended him.

He was quick to defend the fans and the organization as well. When Kevin Durant sent out the tweets about his feelings toward Oklahoma City coach, Billy Donovan, and the organization, Kanter responded with this:

https://twitter.com/Enes_Kanter/status/910262663334301698

And on the day of the trade he also sent out this tweet:

https://twitter.com/Enes_Kanter/status/911670854932680710

As you can see, his time in Oklahoma City has been very special to him. He seems to have wanted to continue playing with the Thunder but it isn’t working out that way but he still loves OKC and OKC still loves him.

So how is the new big three in OKC going to mesh together?

That’s going to be the biggest question on opening night. The Thunder are going to have three different guys playing together who were all the leading stars of different teams last season. The biggest thing is who is going to be the outright leader.

It may take some time but if they are able to get the chemistry right then they will all be able to coexist and make a deep run in the playoffs. Last season, they all felt the pressure of having to lead their teams and none of them made a good run in the playoffs. Now they have a chance to come together and possibly dethrone the Warriors.

Must Read: Oklahoma City Thunder 2017-18 Season Primer

A year after Durant leaves OKC, there is hope for Thunder fans. After watching Westbrook win the MVP and now during the offseason acquiring both Paul George and Carmelo Anthony, Oklahoma City Thunder fans are excited again. Once again, there is talk about the Thunder possibly getting to the Finals again. They just have to get past the Warriors.

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