Lakers news: Carmelo Anthony ‘damnation’ claim made because of LeBron James
LAKERS news - Carmelo Anthony will face a tough realisation if LeBron James refuses to pitch for him to join the Los Angeles Lakers.
LeBron James signs four year contract with LA Lakers
That’s according Fox Sports analyst Doug Gottlieb, who suggests Anthony will be available on a veteran's minimum contract.
It was reported yesterday that the Oklahoma City Thunder have decided they will attempt to cut Anthony from their roster after he opted into his $27.9million contract for the NBA 2018/19 season.
The Thunder are currently trying to work around a remarkable $310million payroll and luxury tax bill.
And the Thunder can save an incredible $107m if they are able to use the stretch provision on Anthony’s contract.
But Oklahoma City will first look for trade options with teams who could possibly take on a big expiring deal which would free up salary-cap space for July 2019.
The ultimate damnation of Carmelo Anthony as a player is if he doesn’t end up at the Lakers
And it has been suggested Anthony could look at joining up with his fellow Banana Boaters.
Chris Paul and Dwayne Wade play for Houston Rockets and Miami Heat respectively but the Lakers have been mentioned as a possible destination with the potential for Anthony to team up with long-term friend James.
However, Gottlieb suggests any move for Anthony from the Lakers will depend on whether a request comes from James.
“The ultimate damnation of Carmelo Anthony as a player is if he doesn’t end up at the Lakers,” Gottlieb said on The Herd.
“Last year he could have been had, they could have traded for him and the Cavs didn’t trade for him and he’s very close to LeBron.
“This year is basically as a freebie on a veteran’s minimum. They’re going to have to buy him out, nobody’s trading for him.
“If LeBron doesn’t get the Lakers to reach out and get Carmelo Anthony then ‘you don’t want me to play with you on a minimum deal in LA when you don’t have other dudes that can get buckets playing off of you?’
“That would tell you all you need to know Melo the team-mate, not Melo the friend.”