Big N.B.A. trades are always followed by a scramble to label players and teams as winners and losers, but every so often a unicorn of a deal comes together, and everyone involved seems to benefit.
One such deal was reached on Thursday, when the Oklahoma City Thunder agreed to trade Carmelo Anthony and a protected 2022 first-round draft pick to the Atlanta Hawks for Dennis Schroder and Mike Muscala, according to a person with knowledge of the deal who was not authorized to discuss it publicly.
In one fell swoop, the Thunder get huge financial relief (and an extra playmaker); the Hawks get long-term savings while clearing their backcourt congestion (and adding a draft pick); Schroder gets to play for a contender; and Anthony, after many twists and turns, gets to keep every cent owed to him in his contract.