NBA World Reacts To The Latest Carmelo Anthony News
As the Los Angeles Lakers try to round out their new-look roster for the 2021-22 season, another high-profile veteran name has appeared on the team’s radar: Carmelo Anthony.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski shared that after the Lakers’ moves at the start of the free agency, the team is continuing to pursue experienced players that can be brought aboard for a low price. Anthony, a ten-time All-Star who turned 37 back in May, fits that bill.
“One more player who they’re trying to sign and could decide as soon as today, Carmelo Anthony,” Wojnarowski reported on Get Up Tuesday morning.
Anthony is an intriguing player at this stage of his career given that he’s far from the All-Star caliber talent he once was. However, he’s still a strong scorer and averaged 13.4 points in 24.1 minutes per game for the Portland Trail Blazers last season.
Even more importantly for the Lakers, Anthony has greatly improved his three-point shooting over the years. He knocked down 40.9 percent of his shot from beyond the arc last season, while taking almost five per game. If he can continue to hit threes at that rate, he’ll help the Lakers space the floor and improve the team’s lackluster shooting from last year.
.@wojespn on the Lakers:
"One more player who they're trying to sign and could decide as soon as today, Carmelo Anthony."
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) August 3, 2021
Although Anthony seems to have plenty to add to the Lakers at this latter stage of his career, the reaction to Wojnarowski’s Tuesday report was fairly mixed. While some fans in Los Angeles relished the thought of Carmelo finally getting to play alongside LeBron James, others worried about the 37-year-old’s ability to actually provide a positive output to the championship contenders.
The #Lakers and Carmelo Anthony appear to be moving closer to a deal. @wojespn also just said a deal could come as soon as today. #Knicks have gotten involved, but source tells @HoopAnalysisNet, that Melo is still expected to land in L.A.
— Evan Massey (@massey_evan) August 3, 2021
Lets go Melo!!! This is 2 years overdue my guy!!! https://t.co/X1HBHwsWfX
— V. George Smith (@VGeorgeSmith) August 3, 2021
Put the purple and gold on my boy @carmeloanthony
— IG: Nolofit1 (@_KingOfTheHill1) August 3, 2021
Keep Carmelo Anthony away from my team.
He didnt want to come in 2014 in his prime. I dont want old melo.
James Ennis, Rudy Gay or Kieff back. All 3, better.
— LakerTalks (@LakerTalks) August 3, 2021
I guess the Lakers plan to sign every 35+ player in the association https://t.co/mnxGQFbPr0
— Remy LeBeau (@J_everydey) August 3, 2021
The Lakers have already been busy this offseason. Once free agency got underway on Monday, Los Angeles signed veterans Trevor Ariza, Kent Bazemore, Wayne Ellington and Dwight Howard to one-year deals. Russell Westbrook also joined the team through a blockbuster deal with the Washington Wizards prior to last week’s NBA Draft.
However, the NBA champs from two seasons ago have also lost quite a few players from their title team. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Kyle Kuzma went to the Wizards in the Westbrook deal and reliable back-up guard Alex Caruso landed with the Chicago Bulls in free agency. The future of Dennis Schroeder remains up in the air, but the cap-strapped Lakers are running out of room to sign a complete roster.
Provided the Anthony is willing to take less money to team up with LeBron, Westbrook and Anthony Davis, he could be exactly the veteran piece the Lakers need to add depth to a group hoping to get back to the NBA Finals next season.
The post NBA World Reacts To The Latest Carmelo Anthony News appeared first on The Spun.
