Are Carmelo Anthony’s days in Oklahoma City numbered?

Prior to the free agency deadline, it was no surprise that former Syracuse Orange star Carmelo Anthony opted into the final year of his contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder, making him eligible for $27.9 million this season. However, the fit clearly doesn’t work. And after re-signing Paul George (surprisingly) and Jerami Grant it looks like they’re content with the current roster — one that is also well into the luxury tax threshold.

Could OKC be looking to get Melo’s contract off the books by any means necessary?

They certainly could consider stretching him, as one SB Nation article points out. The provision would give the Thunder three years to pay off the rest of his deal, potentially saving them $91 million in luxury tax payments. That alone seems worth it for both parties.

And if you’re looking for Melo’s next destination? Well... LeBron James’s decision over the weekend should probably make that a bit obvious, even with a steep paycut for Anthony to make it happen. But is THAT a fit? Doubt it matters if LeBron wants his long-time friend to join him with the Lakers.

That, plus the rest of your Syracuse-related links below:

Stretching Carmelo Anthony could save the Thunder $91 million. Should they do it? (SB Nation)

Cap expert Albert Nahmad crunched the numbers and found that stretching Anthony’s contract would save the Thunder $91 million in luxury tax. That’s more than a few teams’ entire payrolls. That luxury tax, by the way, gets spread out among non-taxpaying teams. So the $91 million would directly subsidize teams, some of which (like the Utah Jazz, who knocked the Thunder out in the first round this past season) are OKC’s direct rivals.

Big Ten commissioners propose a college football national injury report to the NCAA (SB Nation)

Injury reports in college football are obviously handled differently depending on the coach — one of the most notable guys who tries to keep injuries hush is Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh. He’s known for doing things like refusing to release an official roster in the fall, and then doing so three days before the season. While the idea to bring this to the college level certainly is interesting, the one thing that stands out as a potential issue here is enforcement.

Where will Girard play? Some people in the know weigh in. (Glens Falls Post-Star)

“It is not too bad a drive to Syracuse and a lot of local people already go to Syracuse games,” Hall said. “So it is just a natural fit for this area to want him to go there, so we can see him. “It would be great if he went to Syracuse.” Hall echoes the hopes of many in Glens Falls who want Girard to continue his hoops career wearing orange.

Syracuse basketball’s Gerry McNamara follows 2019 recruit Isaiah Stewart to Argentina (Syracuse.com)

McNamara confirmed that he will be in Sante Fe to watch Stewart play when the USA takes on Serbia on Tuesday. That is the USA’s final game in pool play. Both the USA and Serbia are currently 2-0. Stewart has been a physical presence in the USA’s first two games. He had 14 points and 10 rebounds in just 21 minutes during a 115-37 trouncing of China. In a 97-40 win over Mali, Stewart scored 11 points and grabbed eight boards in just 20 minutes.

Under Armour All-America Lacrosse game recaps: Girls, Boys’ South teams come out victorious in different ways (College Crosse)

The boys’ game wasn’t as good as it has been the past few years. The South, aka the “Dirty South” to those on the team, exploded on offense as they breezed past the North 22-15. North Carolina Tar Heels commit Nicky Solomon, the younger brother of Syracuse Orange attackman Nate Solomon, won MVP honors. He was happy.

Recruiting CNY: Mike Hart explains how he got CBA’s Stevie Scott to choose Indiana (CNYCentral)

Toronto Raptors’ player development will be put to the test with Malachi Richardson (Raptors Rapture)

ACC Recruit Rankings: End of June Average Recruit Ranking (247Sports)

3-Star WR DeMarcus Harris sets decision for July 4 (Twitter)