Despite reports to the contrary on Monday, the Los Angeles Lakers may be in the Carmelo Anthony sweepstakes. With the former All-Star forward in the final stages of being waived from the Houston Rockets, The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor reports that the Lakers are one of three teams interested in his services.
“I heard three teams I think it can be for Melo and this could change—I mean, he’s still with Houston—New Orleans, Portland and the L.A. Lakers. Those are the three teams I heard.”
This contradicts Marc Spears’ report on Anthony during his appearance on The Jump on ESPN in which he stated:
“I’d keep my eye on Miami, Philly. Philly’s interested. I am hearing that, not the Lakers. I think the Lakers are done.”
The Lakers and Anthony are connected on many levels. The most obvious link is LeBron James, one of Anthony’s Banana Boat buddies. James and Anthony’s friendship is long-documented and would likely be the driving factor in any decision-making with regards to signing him.
The other link is that the Lakers once pursued Anthony in free agency. However, many of the members of the front office that sought Anthony’s services are since gone, likely leaving few voices speaking in favor of Anthon.
The Lakers currently do not have an open roster spot after signing Tyson Chandler. With Ivica Zubac being a non-factor since Chandler’s signing, though, the team could fairly easily create an open roster spot.
