Report: Carmelo discussed joining CP3 and LeBron in Houston

Did the Banana Boat crew quietly set course for a reunion in Houston?

Carmelo Anthony seriously discussed the possibility of joining forces with good friends Chris Paul, and eventually LeBron James, as members of the Rockets last summer, according to ESPN's Ian Begley.

Anthony was so convinced of the idea that he took the added step of drawing up hypothetical matchups should the Rockets face the Golden State Warriors, Begley adds.

It was assumed for much of the summer that Anthony would be traded from the New York Knicks to Houston. All parties were interested, but there was no solution for accommodating Ryan Anderson's cumbersome contract.

As the stalemate continued throughout most of the offseason, the Oklahoma City Thunder emerged as the surprise winner of the Anthony sweepstakes.

Finding a way to get James to join the Rockets was always a long shot, although this isn't the first time Houston has been tied to a potential landing spot. James can become a free agent in 2018, and Rockets officials reportedly hold "strong belief" in their chances.

James, however, will reportedly take nothing less than the maximum in his next contract. Finding enough money for James, Paul, and James Harden, while also somehow taking on Anthony, would be virtually impossible.