Having once struggled to find interested teams, Carmelo Anthony has reinvented himself as a steady scorer off the bench. If the future Hall of Famer keeps playing, he should have suitors.
According to Heavy’s Sean Deveney, sources around the league think Anthony will return for another season. One person identified the 37-year-old’s “starting point” as re-signing with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he averaged 13.3 points per game last season.
Should he leave, Anthony could return home to New York. While the Knicks are a “longshot,” the Brooklyn-born star could join former Olympic teammates Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on the Nets.
However, Deveney identified two other “darkhorses” still hoping to win the Eastern Conference: the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics.
Could either contender secure Anthony’s veteran presence in 2022-23? Some fans are either dubious about those teams’ interest or aren’t excited about the possibility.
Bro they’re still in the playoffs I promise they’ve put 0 thought into signing Melo this summer lol
Obviously early but I still think it comes down to Knicks or Nets https://t.co/svA4B7gOfU
— Steven Tsakanikas (@SteveTsak) April 25, 2022
@celtics please don’t unless it’s for the veteran minimum https://t.co/ix9UMPIGGp
— Dave (@_Dave______) April 25, 2022
Melo a statue on defense i’ll drive him to the airport myself https://t.co/JydfPuGzGz
— Sam Yeezy (@samstaydipped) April 25, 2022
Meanwhile, others are counting on him staying with the Lakers, where he’d attempt to help turn around a disastrous season alongside his close friend, LeBron James.
I know the @Lakers better do everything in their power to bring him back!! https://t.co/97JEANutic
— Y’ounginUp (@YounginGotBands) April 25, 2022
He staying in LA💯 https://t.co/S2hsGuiGfx
— Morris (@ChefMorris824) April 25, 2022
Given their lack of supplemental scoring behind Durant and Irving, the Nets seem to make more sense if he leaves. Now that he’s accepted a lesser late-career role, Anthony could bolster the bench while adding a respected voice to the polarizing team.
Boston and Miami, on the other hand, have more young talent to prioritize. But perhaps their postseason outcomes could shape their position on targeting Melo this offseason.
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