Tuesday Bolts: 7.25.17

Bill Simmons says OKC & Carmelo Anthony are “circling each other”: “New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony is still on the trading block and with rumors linking him to the Cleveland Cavaliers and possibly the Houston Rockets, a new suitor has emerged. According to The Ringer’s Bill Simmons, the Oklahoma City Thunder could be interested in the nine-time All-Star.”

Paolo Ugetti (The Ringer) asks if Melo would even work in OKC: “If the stars can put their egos aside, the Thunder would be able to trot out a lethal first unit. With George as a secondary offensive option behind Russ, and Melo as a third option, OKC would have a nearly unguardable number of offensive options. If Melo becomes a spot-up shooter waiting for Russ to drive and kick or for George to pass out of a double-team, he’s going to get a lot of open shots. And it seems likely that Melo will make them, just like he has on loaded Olympic teams.”

Erik Horne looks at the on-court fit of Melo and the Thunder: “But Anthony would add another elite scorer to a Thunder offense which struggled for individual shot creation outside of Westbrook last season. He could also play power forward alongside Steven Adams and Paul George in the Thunder’s frontcourt, as he played 83 percent of his minutes at power forward last season, per basketball-reference.com.”

Frank Isola of NY Daily News says Houston is still Melo’s preferred destination: “A report of the Oklahoma City Thunder being interested in Anthony is legitimate. One person close to Anthony doubts he would play in Oklahoma City, but that perhaps he’d be willing to at least talk. Another simply said “Houston” when asked about the OKC report.”

First look at Paul George in NBA 2K18: “The first screenshots of NBA 2K18 have been released and they feature Toronto Raptors shooting guard and NBA 2K Canada cover athlete DeMar DeRozan, Boston Celtics’ Isaiah Thomas and last year’s cover athlete and new Oklahoma City Thunder star Paul George.”

Berry Tramel on if Kyrie Irving and Russell Westbrook want the same thing: “What’s Westbrook’s pleasure? Biggest likeness on a Rushmore or a Super Team? Maybe he can have both in Oklahoma City, but the odds aren’t great. The good news is that every NBA superstar seems different. The Thunder must hope that Westbrook is a lot like Irving. We also know that George is not — he was the face of the Pacers and wanted something different.”

Erik Horne with reasons why Terrance Ferguson has yet to sign his rookie deal: “One potential hangup could be the terms of a buyout between the Thunder and Adelaide 36ers, Ferguson’s last club. In an email to The Oklahoman, a spokesman for FIBA wrote “in principle, players cannot transfer internationally if they are bound by a valid contract which extends beyond the transfer date.” The email did not pertain specifically to Ferguson’s case, but clearance rules.”

Some fan-made Thunder jersey concepts that I actually really like: Five total mock-ups, including a black alternate. Not perfect, but better than most everything else floating around. These are NOT official — let that be clear.