Favorites emerge to sign Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony recently opted in to the final year of his contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder -- a deal that pays him $27.9 million in 2018-19.

But he's still likely on the way out of OKC, according to a report on Friday from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The two sides are expected to part ways in one form or another before the start of the 2018-19 season. The ideal situation for the Thunder woul be to find a trade partner willing to take on Anthony's massive cap hit this season. Plan B is a negotiated buyout that would send Anthony to free agency and save the Thunder some cash in the process.

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Either way, Oklahoma City should be better off. 

SportsLine data scientist Stephen Oh projects a better outcome for the Thunder next season without Anthony. OKC wins 46.1 games with Anthony on the roster, but that number bumps to 47.6 without him. His absence also moves Oklahoma City from the projected No. 5 seed to the No. 4 in the West and increases their playoff percentages from 76.9 percent to to 86. 

"While he may help get a few more open looks for Westbrook and George, who both shoot better from the field with Carmelo on the court, Carmelo's defensive shortcomings, relative lack of rebounding, and own poor shooting percentage hurt the Thunder more than help," Oh said.

But what's next for the 10-time All-Star after departing OKC? 

Online sportsbook YouWager.eu has revealed odds for where Anthony plays in 2018-19, and there are certainly some intriguing options: 

Odds for where Carmelo Anthony plays in 2018-19 (via YouWager.eu)

Rockets -160 (Wager $160 to return $100)
Lakers -110 
Miami Heat +600 (Wager $100 to win $600)
Portland Trail Blazers +700
Field +500 

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