Basketball: Big name players change teams in NBA

By Satuk Bugra Kutlugun

ANKARA

Kawhi Leonard and Carmelo Anthony have become the latest big name players in the National Basketball Association (NBA) to change teams.

San Antonio Spurs traded superstar Kawhi Leonard to Toronto Raptors in exchange for DeMar DeRozan, while Oklahoma City Thunder traded superstar Carmelo Anthony to Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Dennis Schroder and Mike Muscala in a multi-team trade, league announced on early Friday.

Kawhi Leonard played only 9 matches last season due to quadriceps injury. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year was the center of attention since then, rejecting to take floor due to injury despite Spurs' medical team cleared him to play.

Meanwhile, DeMar Derozan's 9-year spell in Toronto ended. He was part of team's franchise-record 59 win-season in 2017/2018.

Carmelo Anthony, according to league sources, will waived by the Hawks and will join a team of his choice. Houston Rockets are frontrunners to sign the veteran player.