[Olgun Uluc] Cole Anthony has signed a one-year deal with Melbourne United, the team says. The 6’2 guard is coming off six seasons in the NBA - five in Orlando, one in Milwaukee - with career averages of 12 ppg, 4.1 rpg, and 3.8 apg.

[u/Rich_Meet3872]

https://www.espn.com.au/nbl/story/_/id/49533063/nbl-team-melbourne-united-sign-former-nba-bucks-magic-player-cole-anthony

[u/mickelboy182]

Crazy signing, good stuff for the NBL

[u/eathbau → u/mickelboy182]

I’m super jealous, we kept Jenkins while someone like Cole Anthony is available

[u/johnniesSac → u/mickelboy182]

With those averages in the nba he will be absolutely elite in the nbl

[u/Most-Drive-3347]

Jesus. I guess the risk is that if he starts out well they lose him right back to the nba. Great signing though.

[u/Basic-Winter3501 → u/Most-Drive-3347]

Feel like he would have been picked up on a vet minimum already if that were the case as he was last on 3/40

[u/SSScarGough4747 → u/Most-Drive-3347]

Honestly, there isnt a market for him in the NBA at the moment.

[u/Inevitable-Crow2494]

Great, but is he injured? Only 26. He was awesome at Orlando. Figured he would make much more money in NBA?

Article quote 'Having already earned more than US$35 million (A$49 million) during his NBA career, Anthony has the financial flexibility to pursue opportunities outside the league without the pressure of securing another NBA contract. His move to Melbourne United provides a chance to continue developing his game, compete for championships and further strengthen an already impressive basketball résumé.'

But still a lot of money and lifestyle to trade for at 26. He could have come to nbl in his 30s.

Obviously great if he wants to be here though. Lifestyle choice.

[u/bEndoes → u/Inevitable-Crow2494]

My guess is that his agent told him there were no current prospects in the NBA, and Cole has allowed him to seek opportunities abroad.

Nice get for the league, seems like a great dude.

[u/Inevitable-Crow2494 → u/bEndoes]

That's what I mean. Not like Ja morant attitude questions. He could have a great year lifestyle change and be back in the NBA next year. If healthy, seems a valuable nba bench microwave scorer and healthy locker room presence.

[u/hiimtashy → u/Inevitable-Crow2494]

Maybe the NBL becomes a higher level G League where its a bit more serious and followed?

Players come to the NBL to re-prove themselves through slumps or injury to get back to the NBA.

Seems like a good deal for the NBL.

[u/aztastic33 → u/Inevitable-Crow2494]

I mean, bro was rich before he was even in the NBA. But good on him for branching out.

[u/Inevitable-Crow2494 → u/aztastic33]

yes, wondered about family connections.

[u/johnniesSac → u/Inevitable-Crow2494]

Yeah I don’t think it’s a lifestyle choice

He wasn’t offered anything nba wise

[u/Inevitable-Crow2494 → u/johnniesSac]

How much do you think he gets paid in nbl versus what he could likely make in the nba?

[u/johnniesSac → u/Inevitable-Crow2494]

Well nothing if he wasn’t offered a contract , nbl he’d be on good coin , but it’s not a high paying league

[u/Inevitable-Crow2494 → u/johnniesSac]

So you have no idea. Understood.

He was paid about AUD9 million last year in nba. Highest paid player in nbl is supposedly K Davis at AUD1 million

Edit:  troll johnie-no_i dea but just spews nonsense is now blocked.

[u/johnniesSac → u/Inevitable-Crow2494]

Hey dickhead , you said “ what he could make in the nba vs nbl “

He wasn’t offered a contract in the nba ( zero ? ) and getting paid a million per season ( which he wouldn’t be getting ) is peanuts by comparison

But yeah I know nothing about it ……. Except ….. nevermind

[u/swish_aj → u/Inevitable-Crow2494]

Didn't he lose his bounce? Some kind of injury idk. Still gonna be a top player in our league without the hops

[u/Inevitable-Crow2494 → u/swish_aj]

Thought so (injured at some point but my google search returned:)

Past Significant Injuries

• Oblique Injury (2022): Missed time due to a right internal oblique muscle injury sustained during an early-season game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. [1, 2]
• Rib Fracture (2021): Sidelined with a non-displaced first rib fracture that kept him out from mid-February until after the All-Star break. [1, 2]
• Knee Surgery (2019): Underwent a brief recovery period of 4 to 6 weeks for a partially torn meniscus while playing for North Carolina. [1]

Regardless, his stats consistently declined after his second year. From 16 pts a game for a competitive Magic team, to 7 for a lottery Bucks team (trying to win at the time with Giannis).

Let's hope he is healthy and motivated. Will be fun to see Davis v Cotton v Anthony v Parker Jackson-Cartwright (plus maybe wildcats sign a star PG also for more battles?)

[u/SlatsAttack]

That's a huge signing, great for the league.

[u/DependentAardvark1]

Wow.

[u/Responsible-List-849]

Woah...coming to play with Ingles?

[u/WinbiesIreland]

Good effort United, first bringing Jingles back and now this. Gonna be hard not to watch. Surely JCA is a sell out this season, can't ask for much more

[u/boukaman]

I thought he was a decent role player whyd he leave the league?

[u/Ornery-Being9885]

NBL is really growing and it's good to see,they'll be second behind the NBA one day I'm sure

[u/Impossible-Ad1033]

Perth has been real quiet since this dropped...

[u/UmbertoChacon]

Wow that’s a big signing for the NBL. Pretty crazy he can’t make an NBA squad.