Carmelo Anthony Reveals Near-Trade to Form Pelicans' Big 3 with Davis

The former NBA star shared details about a potential deal that could have challenged the Warriors' dynasty.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Carmelo Anthony disclosed on a recent podcast that he was nearly traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, where he would have formed a star trio alongside DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis. However, the deal ultimately fell through due to the Pelicans' hesitation and contract complications, despite the potential to build a competitive team around Davis.

Why it matters

This revelation highlights the fluid nature of NBA team dynamics and the ongoing efforts by franchises to assemble championship-contending squads through strategic player acquisitions. The potential Pelicans Big 3 could have disrupted the Golden State Warriors' dominance, showcasing the league's competitive landscape.

The details

Following his last season with the New York Knicks in 2017, Carmelo Anthony was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he joined forces with Russell Westbrook and Paul George. Anthony expressed regret about this trade, implying it was not his preferred direction. Meanwhile, the Pelicans took longer to finalize decisions, which contributed to the unsuccessful trade. Anthony also mentioned that the Pelicans had involved him in the process by providing a Pelicans jersey as part of their recruitment efforts.

  • In 2017, Carmelo Anthony was traded from the New York Knicks to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
  • During the 2017-18 NBA season, the Pelicans nearly traded for Carmelo Anthony to form a Big 3 with Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins.

The players

Carmelo Anthony

A former NBA star who revealed details about a near-trade to the New Orleans Pelicans that could have formed a Big 3 with Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins.

Anthony Davis

An NBA superstar who was set to be the centerpiece of the Pelicans' potential Big 3 with Carmelo Anthony and DeMarcus Cousins.

DeMarcus Cousins

An NBA All-Star who was also part of the Pelicans' potential Big 3 with Carmelo Anthony and Anthony Davis.

Russell Westbrook

An NBA superstar who Carmelo Anthony joined forces with on the Oklahoma City Thunder, a move that Anthony expressed regret about.

Paul George

An NBA All-Star who Carmelo Anthony joined forces with on the Oklahoma City Thunder, a move that Anthony expressed regret about.

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What they’re saying

“New Orleans was not guaranteed option. New Orleans couldn't pull the trigger that fast.”

— Carmelo Anthony (7PM in Brooklyn)

“I did have a Pelicans jersey, that was the recruiting pitch.”

— Carmelo Anthony (7PM in Brooklyn)

“Everybody at that time was saying, 'Oh, they can beat Golden State because of them two.' That was the conversation.”

— Carmelo Anthony (7PM in Brooklyn)

“And if JT could come back, I think it scares the league. Because now you don't have to really focus on implementing Jayson Tatum back into the actual lineup. He's going to be on limited minutes, so you can play him and figure out how you really want to implement him into the grand scheme of things and still allow … Jaylen Brown to continue to lead that team for right now.”

— Carmelo Anthony (7PM in Brooklyn)

What’s next

The Pelicans will continue to build their roster around Anthony Davis, seeking to assemble a competitive team that can challenge the league's elite.

The takeaway

This near-trade scenario highlights the NBA's competitive landscape, where teams constantly explore ways to form star-studded lineups that can disrupt the league's power dynamics. While the Pelicans missed out on the potential Carmelo Anthony-Anthony Davis-DeMarcus Cousins trio, the league remains an ever-evolving landscape of player movement and team-building strategies.