Carmelo Anthony, a 10-time All-Star and three-time Olympic gold medallist, has signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers in a bid to win his first NBA championship.
Anthony, 37, is an NBA veteran who started his career with the Denver Nuggets in 2003. He has been searching for a championship ring for the past 18 seasons, playing for various teams like the New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Portland Trail Blazers. In the last few years, he’s struggled to find his feet and was sidelined for most of the 2019-20 season before joining the Blazers for the 2020-21 season.
With Anthony’s profile, many NBA teams were interested in signing him this offseason. But it was the Lakers who offered him the deal, which was too good to resist. Joining an already talented Lakers team comprising LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook, Anthony has finally found an opportunity to play with other elite players and compete for the title.
Anthony is a highly skilled scorer with a diverse skillset, including his ability to score off the dribble, from the post, and from beyond the arc. He is an offensive dynamo, and the Lakers hope that his experience and scoring outbursts will boost their chances in the postseason. Anthony’s arrival also strengthens the Lakers’ bench with a clutch scorer who can change games.
Moreover, this is not just an opportunity for Anthony to win his first championship ring. He will also be playing alongside his close friend and former USA Basketball teammate LeBron James, which makes the journey even more memorable. James, a four-time NBA champion himself, welcomed Anthony on Instagram, saying how he was excited to finally play alongside him.
In Anthony, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka sees a hall-of-fame talent who can help the Lakers in every game on both ends of the court. “Carmelo is one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history and is very much in pursuit of that elusive championship. His scoring prowess, leadership, and clutch play are things that we are excited about as we work with him toward the ultimate goal of competing for a championship,” Pelinka said.
The Lakers’ acquisition of Carmelo Anthony is a significant addition to a stacked squad aiming for nothing less than a championship. Anthony’s veteran presence and scoring abilities can make a massive difference in taking the Lakers to the next level. So, stay tuned, as we wait for the upcoming season to see how the Lakers fare with their newly minted Super Team.