Report: Carmelo granted permission to meet other teams, has waived NTC

Carmelo Anthony is technically still a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder, but his ties to the team at this point appear to be little more than a formality.

The Thunder have granted the 34-year-old permission to meet with other teams, league sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Allowing Anthony to begin meeting with other teams cuts right to the chase as he's expected, one way or another, to become a free agent in the near future.

With a $150-million luxury tax bill looming, the Thunder are reportedly keen on shedding Anthony's $27.9-million salary for next season from their books. Simply buying out the 10-time All-Star's contract using the stretch provision (splitting his remaining salary over the next three seasons) would lower the Thunder's payroll and tax bill by a combined $107 million for this coming season.

To help facilitate the possibility of becoming a free agent in the near future, Anthony has reportedly waived his no-trade clause. The Thunder have supposedly explored the possibility of trading Anthony to another team that would then waive the future Hall of Famer. This option would provide even greater luxury tax relief, though it would presumably cost the Thunder several assets.

Anthony has been met by no shortage of suitors despite his impending departure from the Thunder. He's reportedly considering the possibility of joining fellow 2003 draftee Dwyane Wade on the Miami Heat (though Wade himself has yet to re-sign), while the Houston Rockets are reportedly "determined" to add Anthony to their rotation. Anthony reportedly met with both teams in Las Vegas recently.