With the 2021 NBA Finals and draft out the way, basketball teams are looking to do a bit of revamping. Around this time, teams traditionally get various rising stars and, in the mix, a hand full of familiar faces looking to relocate. Among those reportedly shopping for a new home is NBA star, Carmelo Anthony.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski revealed on Tuesday, Aug. 3, that the free agent agreed to a one-season deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. According to Yahoo Sports, the power forward had previously been with the Portland Trail Blazers for the past two years, averaging 13.4 points in 24.5 minutes per game last season. Before that, the 37-year-old came off a brief hiatus and a less than admirable stint with the Houston Rockets
The Brooklyn native, who also goes by simply Melo, confirmed the news on his Twitter account with a moving image that saw the “7” in “ME70” turn into the Lakers signature royal purple L icon. The post received over 147,000 likes and another fifty thousand requotes as fans expressed their thoughts on the latest head-turning NBA transaction.
Melo, drafted in 2003, has earned more than $260 million in salary in his career and is a 10-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA selection, and three-time Olympic gold medalist. Still, he has yet to earn a championship ring. Now fans are hoping that with a new environment and some new teammates, including LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and most recently Russell Westbrook, both Melo and Russell could earn their first rings.
“It’s y’all’s time for that ring, let’s go!” wrote one fan.
Another person commented, “Damn Lakers, got AD, Westbrook, and Melo. Lebron collecting free agents like they infinity stones.”
Still, some felt Melo’s addition was unfair to other players in the league and seemingly suggested that the Lakers were just piling on the veteran players, including one Twitter user who wrote, “I told you these mf’s are cheating bro. Even the warriors weren’t doing all this. All they had were stars and bums on the bench. Not former all nba first team players.”
Another commented, “Lebron now has Melo, Russ, AD and Dwight on his team. 4 future 1st ballot HOFers, I never want to hear about KD stacking the deck again.”
Elsewhere others took jabs at Melo’s age, writing, “The Lakers arent building a super team, they’re building a retirement home.”
The Athletic reported that the Lakers have also added Malik Monk, Wayne Ellington, Kent Bazemore, and Kendrick Nunn to their roster.
