“Carmelo Anthony could join forces with LeBron James”: Lakers and LeGM have gotten down to work to replace Kyle Kuzma in LA

Carmelo Anthony could find himself on the Lakers alongside LeBron James as a replacement for Kyle Kuzma after an early Playoff exit. 

Both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trailblazers were lauded for having pulled off, arguably, the best offseason moves in 2020. Fast-forward to the first round of the Playoffs and both squads were dealt with in 6 games and booted from the postseason. Carmelo Anthony and the Blazers lost to Melo’s old team, the Nuggets, and the Lakers were defeated by the Phoenix Suns. 

Many factors played into the Lakers’ early Playoff exit and Kyle Kuzma’s inability to be a tertiary star alongside LeBron James and Dennis Schroder is one of them. He averaged merely 6.3 points on 29% shooting from the field in the first round against the Suns and so it makes sense that the Lakers could look to move on from him.

Also read: “Charles Barkley ran out of gas for his GUARANTEE button”: Inside the NBA crew are shocked to find out that their backroom staff didn’t prepare for this press of the guarantee button

Carmelo Anthony on the other hand, has had the resurgence of a lifetime on the Portland Trailblazers as after being out of the league following a short stint with the Houston Rockets, Neil Olshey gave him a chance. Despite his deficiencies on the defensive end of the floor, it’s no doubt that he’s been an integral part of the Blazers’ offense. 

The Lakers could pursue Carmelo Anthony in an effort to team him up with LeBron James. 

Fellow ‘Banana Boat’ crew members could be united in the same way that Dwyane Wade and LeBron James played together as the latter could team up with Carmelo Anthony on the Lakers. NBA Analysis Network’s Evan Massey reports that Melo could be pursued by Rob Pelinka and co during this 2021 offseason. 

“Rumors have been swirling that the Lakers will look to move on from Kyle Kuzma this offseason. That isn’t much of a surprise, but they could target Carmelo Anthony to replace him,” said Massey.

Also read: “I have yet to meet someone as competitive as me”: Michael Jordan confirms the Will Smith story that he’s the most competitive person on the planet

It’s a well known fact that the relationship between Melo and Bron goes well beyond just the NBA hardwood as they entered the league together and have been tight ever since. Factors that could lead to Melo staying in Portland however, could be the fact that he claimed Damian Lillard is the greatest leader he’s ever played for. 

He also stated last year that he’d love to end his career off in Portland if given the chance. It’s no doubt that the Blazers will look to improve their defensive guys this offseason and so keeping hold of 37-year-old Carmelo Anthony may not be of the utmost importance to them as of yet.