Here's a little analogy for you dimwits:

Imagine if Michael Jordan (Anthony) was brought onto the early 90s Chicago Bulls by Horace Grant (Opie). Shortly thereafter, Scottie Pippen (Jimmy) joined the Bulls to create a super team.

As the years went on Horace Grant (Opie) took a back seat as Jordan and Pippen (Anthony & Jimmy) meshed better and created better basketball (radio). Throughout this process Horace Grant (opie) contributed less and became reliant on his two teammates to dominate on a consistent basis.

Once Michael Jordan became a free-agent (anthony fired) both of his teammates Grant & Pippen (Jimmy & opie) were still under contract.

If you were Michael Jordan (anthony) at the end of his prime would you rather bring on the burden who stopped trying as the years went on (opie), or the fellow superstar who helped carry the team with you (jimmy) for one final run?

It's a fucking no brainier. Fuck loyalty, Opie never showed loyalty throughout contact negotiations, and Opie's passive aggressiveness had to be exhausting to deal with after 20 years.