Carmelo Anthony Rumors: New Zealand Breakers Deny Contract Signing

Carmelo Anthony's basketball and NBA future remain uncertain, but one rumor that doesn't appear to be true is that the star forward is playing in New Zealand.

According to the New Zealand Herald: "A source within the [New Zealand] Breakers organisation has quashed social media speculation NBA superstar Carmelo Anthony has signed with the NBL club. However, the Herald understands from local sources a 'significant announcement' is due from the Breakers within the next 48 hours."

The report follows a post from NBA Wire suggesting Anthony was in talks with the organization:

Anthony, 34, appeared in just 10 games (two starts) for the Houston Rockets in the 2018-19 season, averaging 13.4 points and 5.4 rebounds in 29.4 minutes per game. The team and Anthony parted ways in November, though Houston didn't trade him to the Chicago Bulls until January. 

The Bulls then waived him, and Anthony never signed on with another NBA team. 

It's been a rough couple of years for Anthony, who went from former New York Knicks president Phil Jackson openly trying to trade him, to never fitting with Russell Westbrook and Paul George in Oklahoma City to not working well in coach Mike D'Antoni's system in Houston.

Nonetheless, his wife, La La Anthony, said earlier in May that she expected Anthony back in the league.

"Why wouldn't we?" she said when asked if we would see Anthony back in the NBA at some point, per TMZ Sports. "Facts."

Anthony's brand of mid-range, isolation-heavy offense hasn't aged well in the modern age. Nor has his lack of defensive impact. If Anthony is to return, he may need to grow comfortable with playing a stretch 4 role, spacing the floor as a spot-up shooter.

Otherwise, playing overseas might be his best bet for keeping his career going—even if playing in New Zealand doesn't appear to be happening.