Appearing on ESPN’s First Take last week, Carmelo Anthony told Stephen A. Smith that he wants “another shot” at the NBA after being waived by the Rockets 10 games into last season.
During that ESPN interview, Anthony said all the right things, telling Smith that he has been in the gym every day, stressing that he doesn’t just want a “farewell tour,” and insisting that he’s willing to play a more modest role after spending most of his NBA career as his team’s primary scorer.
“What’s going to make me happy is going to a place, playing basketball, enjoying it again, [and] accepting a role that I might not normally have accepted in the past,” Anthony said. “I don’t mind coming off the bench, that’s not an issue with me.”
Despite Anthony’s apparent willingness to accept both a reduced role and a reduced salary, he has yet to find an NBA home, nearly six weeks into 2019’s free agent period. The Lakers are considered a long shot, despite the fact that Carmelo is good friends with LeBron James. The Knicks reportedly would have considered a reunion if they had landed a pair of veteran stars in free agency, but are now content to go in another direction.
There are other possible suitors for Anthony around the NBA, but there aren’t a ton of roster spots still available, and many clubs will want to fill their final roster spot or two with developmental prospects, or veterans who meet a specific need. There’s no obvious fit for Carmelo.
Many players around the NBA would like to see the 10-time All-Star back in the league. Kyle Kuzma endorsed Anthony’s comeback efforts last week, and John Wall recently told Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington that he wants to see Carmelo play one more season, suggesting the Nuggets as a possible destination.
With more than two months until the 2019/20 regular season gets underway, there’s still plenty of time for Anthony to find a new NBA home. With his future still up in the air, we want to know what you think. Will Anthony be on an NBA roster when the season gets underway in October?
Vote in our poll, then head to the comment section below to share your two cents and make your predictions!
Trade Rumors app users, click here to vote.
Why would anyone sign him after how his last few stops have gone?
He should get another shot but unfortunately for him I don’t really see it happening. At least not before the season starts… I know he’s had attitude issues in the past and hasn’t been willing to take a lesser role – but he seems to be ready now to come off the bench and do what’s asked of him… as long as that truly is his mindset – he clearly could help plenty of teams out there as a top scoring option off the bench at the 3 or 4 spot
Big 3 man, just do it already…
Stop this. Pistons need to cut Galloway and sign melo. D rose and melo running the second unit would be awesome. Thanks for your misplaced feeling about melo but he’s a baller and will be welcome with open arms in Detroit. Got a problem, it’s ok, it’s your problem
It’s actually every GM’s in the league’s problem.
Why would you not want a 10x all star on your team at 35? Bad gm s
Just saying…you disagree with all of the people that get paid to build teams in the NBA.
I can buy that if Melo signs for the minimum. He and Rose could run p&r as well as create instant points in an unpredictable way – they are similar players in that respect. Probably worth an experiment, and that team needs more offensive firepower.
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Should’ve been a stone in the first place.
Both Island Flava and I are very worried about this. Let’s hope and God bless.
This could be Dombrowski’s biggest trade deadline acquisition.
Cool burn but assbrowski is in Boston and in the mlb.
Point still stands.
Wait. I get that you obviously think I don’t know who the GMs are in different sports, hence the “he’s in the MLB” comment — but what does the “he is in Boston” part even mean?
Dombrowski is in Boston. I don’t really know how to explain it any simpler. He’s the gm for the Boston Red Sox to make it clear.. wow
Because Boston doesn’t have an NBA team….oh now I get it
Me: Mr Ed would make a great banker someday.
You: cool. But Mr. Ed breathes air and is a horse so he can’t be a banker.
I think Carmelo is way overrated but he’s at least good enough to hold a roster spot in the NBA. He’s not very popular though so it’s tough to see it happening.
“What’s going to make me happy is going to a place, playing basketball, enjoying it again, [and] accepting a role that I might not normally have accepted in the past,” Anthony said. “I don’t mind coming off the bench, that’s not an issue with me.” Says Melo..Why does any team in the association owe Melo a chance at anything. Melo was always about his money which was fine. Wish I had his but that can mean no rings especially if you’re not going to play any defense. Can he be good enough to be a 9 or 10 guy on a couple rosters, probably. But that could also be a spot for a young guy on the way up who needs his ”money” more than Melo needs anything at this point. He made a nice bed stuffed with a mattress full of cash, enjoy it and try out for the Big 3. He acts like a team owes him and that is not reality, any chance he ever gets that? ISO ball just doesn’t cut it anymore. Did anyone watch his games as a Rocket, pathetic. His games as a OKC player, worse. He is slow, doesn’t play D and needs to stop the bellyaching.
If we all stopped commenting on Carmelo posts maybe Hoopsrumors will stop posting about him unless there is real news to be reported. This is a rehash of previous posts. Anyway, if you look at Carmelo’s career comps on basketball reference only 1 out of 1o is in the HOF…Alex English…whoop-de-doo! His top 2 comps are Rasheed Wallace and A.C. Green. Why are we getting worked up over this 35 year old? Let it go. 34 yr old LeBron’s comps are Dirk, The Mailman, and Dr. J.
Maybe if you stopped posting insightful insights on Carmelo’s pages, I wouldn’t give them as much traffic.
I’m not against him getting one. I just don’t think he will, in the NBA, at least. With everyone dropping out of the World Cup team, he could be named to it. Then he’ll get to experience China and join a CBA team like Starbury did.
What is the point of Melo continuing if he can’t play significant minutes off the bench. Not worth his team or any prospective team. He should retire and move on with his life. Broadcasting?
Stick a fork in him, he is done…. Unless by some miracle he discovers how to play defense.
I think the only new ideas here were posted by @Tommy313, he makes a plausible argument that Rose and Melo on 2nd unit could succeed. Even their current versions would be far better than any second unit adversaries, and they both know they would benefit from some perception of “rebirth”, so why not take a flyer? Galloway is a mediocre player at best.