In an interview with TMZ (video link), Carmelo Anthony offers little insight into a report last week that Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant are campaigning for the Nets to sign him. Anthony is close with the two stars and played with them, as well as new Brooklyn center DeAndre Jordan, on the 2016 Olympic team.
“That’s family,” Anthony said. “So, that’s bigger than basketball. If something happens, something’s gonna happen.”
A source told Frank Isola of The Athletic that Nets GM Sean Marks and coach Kenny Atkinson have watched Anthony this summer and are considering adding him to the team. Brooklyn has a full roster, but will be able to sign a player once Wilson Chandler serves five games of his 25-game PED suspension. Anthony’s representatives have spoken to the Sixers as well, according to Isola.
There’s more this morning from Brooklyn:
- Fresh off signing a three-year, $52.5MM extension, Caris LeVert tells Bill Bender of The Sporting News that his next goal is to become one of the NBA’s best players. He also believes the Nets are ready to join the league’s elite teams after their success in free agency. “When you get guys like KD, Kyrie and DeAndre, expectations rise,” he said. “We’re looking forward to that. We’ve been working for that. I think everybody loves playing on a big stage. We’re definitely looking forward to this year and the challenges it’s going to bring.”
- Taurean Prince was a less celebrated addition for the Nets, but he could play an important role in making the team a contender, writes David Yapkowitz of Basketball Insiders. Brooklyn agreed to acquire Prince from the Hawks before the start of free agency, so he got to enjoy watching the team’s success in free agency. He called being traded “bittersweet,” but said he’s eager to be part of a rising power in Brooklyn. “I’m someone who wants to win more than they want to score,” Prince said. “My big thing is getting to the playoffs and being able to play in those type of opportunities and environment.”
- LiAngelo Ball claims the Nets were one of three teams that talked to him about a possible Summer League role, relays Ralph Orense of ClutchPoints. On an episode of “Ball in the Family,” Ball says the Thunder and Heat also expressed interest.
Sure they did, LiAngelo
Man if you see the dross that Brooklyn, Miami & Oklahoma have got in their rosters, it ain’t no difficult at all to imagine they been interested in LiAngelo
Heat need nothing to do with LiAngelo.
The difference is the guys on this rosters are all nba or borderline nba players. Gelo is not
It was kd or LiAngelo.
At the end they choose KD, but was a close call
So what would happen in game 26 when Chandler returns? Wouldn’t Nets then be over the roster limit?
Melo gets 25 games to show he can still play.
Or 20 (25 – 5). They can’t sign him until 5 games into the suspension on this premise.
Yes, they’d have to trade or waive someone at that point. It wouldn’t necessarily have to be their most recently-added player (whether that’s Carmelo or someone else).
Or they can dope melo so he takes a suspension
Nets are always touting their culture and chemistry. Sign melo and screw that up!!!!!the clique will form: KD,KI,Jordan,melo. The young guys will check out. See Fakers from last year.
That’s my concern. This is not the team for a Melo return. Let Levert & Prince fill any gaps
Yeah, because those SUMMER League roster spots are such a game-changer…..