The Lakers and Carmelo Anthony have pressed pause on discussions about a possible contract, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. According to Wojnarowski, the two sides may revisit the possibility if the Lakers move closer to playoff contention.
Anthony and the Lakers have been linked to one another for the last several months, and Wojnarowski suggests that the team had actually been leaning toward using its open roster spot to sign the former Rocket for the remainder of the season.
However, L.A. has lost four of its last five games, leaving both sides wondering if the fit and timing are right. According to Wojnarowski, Anthony’s camp is unsure about sending the veteran forward to an “unsettled environment with suddenly so little chance of making the playoffs.” If the 34-year-old returns to the NBA this season, he wants to do so for a team that could help provide a “positive conclusion” to his season, Woj says.
The Lakers have held onto the 10th spot in the Western Conference, but a stretch of eight losses in 11 games has greatly reduced their odds of climbing into the top eight. At 30-33, the Lakers are currently 4.5 games back of the No. 8 Spurs and five games back of the No. 7 Clippers.
Assuming Anthony and the Lakers don’t re-open their talks, the team will likely end up finding another use for its open roster spot. According to Woj, the club has talked about adding a center to bolster its frontcourt. Adding a young prospect may ultimately make more sense than signing an established veteran if the Lakers don’t get any closer to postseason contention.
The Lakers are done. Rest LeBron and play the young guys.
They don’t have to rest anyone to play the young guys
I’m sure there’s a long list of playoff teams dying to sign Melo
why can’t we talk about a player who is somehow currently relevant…melo? he is the guy to put any team over the top? especially the lakers…lets be real!
Portland needs a scoring Wing badly. They’ve got the guards and the big guys.
Lol
His CAMP
Sam Amick says in The Athletic that the Minneapolis and Los Angeles Lakers missed the playoffs a total of 5 times from 1948 to 2013. This makes 6 in a row. Go ahead and give Carmelo a 19 game farewell with his banana boat buddy.
maybe he can win a court battle and play 1 more year at syracuse
Doesn’t this seem like it should be the opposite?
Like we’re not a real contender so why not sign the sideshow?
Think it would be a bad decision for a team in the top 8 to bring him aboard.
I agree, but Melo’s “camp” does not.
Typical Melo..
Agent: Hey Mr Future HOF, there’s a chance for you to help get a team over the hump.
Mr Future HOF: nah, too much work.
Agent: ….no one else is interested in signing you. You’ll be stuck on your couch.
Mr Future HOF: Sounds like the easiest option to me.
The team didn’t want him not the other way around.
Doesn’t make sense on any level. He can only be an defensively challenged, offensively inefficient, high maintenance 4 at this point. There isn’t even a chance he’ll play well offensively without significant minutes. Lakers aren’t that good, but they still have better options for those minutes.
melo to china makes the most sense
Melo to retire and move on to the next part of his life makes sense. As long as he managed his money right, there is nothing to gain by him going to China to play. 15 years in the NBA, 100,s millions made. There is no value in him going there as it won’t improve his chances in getting back to NBA (which is why many go there play)
Thus why he’d have nothing to lose playing a few games for the Lakers.
I don’t get it. Guess he can retire a loser without a team.
Unless he actually wants to play basketball. The CBA is probably the second best league in the world.
Everybody want to see Melo on the Lakers
literally what the heck have they been waiting for it’s a min contract
Headline should say the Lakers are pause about making the playoffs!
Pause with claws
Everyone has been tiptoeing around each other on the Lakers, not sure that will last. James tried to light the fuse but it went pffft. Should have hired Melo already, if only to scapegoat.
Utah, Heat make sense
Melo will get a 10-day contract somewhere
Saw Carmello on March 19 at Sheetz.
Carmello was surrounded by:
Payday
Big Kat
Mr Goodbar
Hershey Gold