Melo says Rockets' Morey told him things are 'just not working out'

Carmelo Anthony opened up about the unceremonious end to his 10-game tenure with the Houston Rockets this past season during an interview on ESPN's First Take on Friday.

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey informed the 10-time All-Star of the news after Anthony had traveled with the team for its game against the San Antonio Spurs.

The decision caught the veteran forward off guard, as Anthony says he remained professional throughout his brief time in Houston, adding that the club pursued him for several years.

"He came in (my hotel room) and was just like, 'Look, basically your services are no longer needed,'" Anthony said of his conversation with Morey. "I'm like, 'Hold on. What the hell are you talking about?'

"He's like, 'Things (are) just not working out and you gotta figure out something to do.' I'm like, 'How the hell am I supposed to figure out something to do? I got a game tomorrow.' (Morey says), 'No, you're not going to suit up tomorrow.'"

Anthony spoke shortly afterward with good friend Chris Paul and James Harden, who both said they didn't know the move was coming.

"I had a one-on-one heart-to-heart with (Paul) in my room (at) 1 a.m. in the morning," Anthony said. "(I) looked him in his eye. He looked me in my eyes and told me, 'Bro, I would never do something like that to you.'

"I take that. With me and him, it goes deeper than basketball. So for him to sit there and really feel the pain that I was going through at the moment. I honestly could say that I don't think he knew anything about it."

The 35-year-old also reiterated that his breakup with the Rockets wasn't tied to playing a reserve role, as that option was never conveyed to him.

"I wasn't willing to accept that role of coming off the bench in Houston because that never was relayed to me," Anthony said. "It was, 'You are the piece that we need to get over the hump to win a championship.' I went into there with that mentality."