In his 19th NBA season, Carmelo Anthony looks to get his first ring alongside LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook.
Los Angeles’ return to the championship circle have just got bigger and brighter with the addition of Carmelo Anthony to the Lakers.
Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka announced the news Friday, Aug. 6, and per team policy, the terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Anthony, who was a part of that hallowed 2003 NBA draft class, enters his 19th season averaging 23.0, 6.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and currently ranks 10th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 27,370 career points.
As a 10-time NBA All-Star, Anthony won the inaugural Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion distinction this year, and averaged 13.4 ppg, 3.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, while shooting 40.9 percent from three-point range with the Portland Trail Blazers.
His quick trigger release and slick ball handling will be a much-needed skill off the bench, as the Lakers have noted Anthony needs to be prepared “to make sacrifices” for the team to return to the NBA Finals after getting bounced last season in the first round.
Anthony showed a willingness to do so in Portland, but will have to ramp it up if he wants to have a best shot at, likely his last, chance at an NBA title.
