There has been speculation that the Nets might consider signing Carmelo Anthony to help fill out their roster, an unidentified league executive tells Sean Deveney of Heavy. The signing could be a way to help placate Kevin Durant if Brooklyn isn’t able to trade him soon.
Anthony, 38, spent last season with the Lakers on a one-year, minimum-salary contract. He averaged 13.3 points and 4.2 rebounds in 69 games, but L.A. filled out its bench with younger players this offseason and there may not be room to bring Anthony back.
The Nets are also likely to sign another center, but the move may not come for a while.
“They need another big guy, but they’re not feeling a lot of pressure as far as filling that spot,” the executive said. There are veterans they can sign this month or even early next month — Dwight Howard would be the obvious one, maybe Hassan Whiteside. Cody Zeller is out there, too. They want to see what they have with Nic Claxton, but they want some insurance there, too. And they’re going to play (Ben) Simmons there quite a bit in small ball lineups.”
There’s more from Brooklyn:
- The Nets allowed a $6.27MM trade exception to expire Friday, indicating that they will seek lower-cost moves to complete their roster, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post. Roughly five weeks ahead of training camp, Brooklyn still has room for two more players on standard deals, along with three Exhibit 10 contracts and a two-way slot. Lewis points out that David Duke Jr. has already turned down a two-way offer from the team in hopes of filling one of those standard spots.
- The Nets also need to figure out the roles of their coaching staff after losing assistant Jordan Ott to the Lakers, Lewis adds in the same piece. The team will have to assign a defensive coordinator, and while Lewis sees Jacque Vaughn as the obvious candidate, he notes that Vaughn has experienced “mixed results” when asked to take on that role.
- Durant landed a “haymaker” with his demand that owner Joe Tsai fire head coach Steve Nash and general manager Sean Marks, but it may not have changed his trade prospects, ESPN’s Tim Legler said on SiriusXM NBA Radio (Twitter link). Legler acknowledges that there’s a real chance Durant may still be with the Nets when the season begins.
Carmelo needs to retire. Dude is washed and past his prime, make some room for youngsters instead of chasing paychecks.
Joe needs to reestablish order and fine any player not willing to play. He should trade that useless Australian bum, I don’t see him improving nor shooting the ball, he’s been in the league for 7 years yet can’t shoot a damn free throw smh.
Do you get street cred for being so angry at people you’ll never meet?
You really think Melo is past his prime at 38?
That’s a pretty hot take
Would love to see Melo finish where he started in Denver. Melo would be a good bench scorer from the bench
“Melo would be a good bench scorer from the bench.”
Well, that is one way to add a sixth man.
No one in Denver wants melo
Bench scorer from the bench? Reminds me one day in practice I was throwing up shots from half court, goofing around. Coach yelled at me and said,
“Loser, take shots that would be in a game situation for you.”
So I walked over to the bench, sat down, and threw up shots from there.
“Unnamed League executive” = BS
I’m sure that if KD said he’d stay if the Nets sign Melo it would happen.
Can you really plant a haymaker on your own chin?
It sounds awkward but Kevin Durant’s middle name is awkward.
The GM is Sean Marks, not Bobby :D
Just saw that. LOL
A guy like Nic Claxton. I’ve been saying for yrs Nerlens Noel. Would look good next to KAT. Two guys who are long and agile. Who can cover the perimeter. Much cheaper than Rudy. And a better mix imo. Claxton is a guy TWolves should of targeted. Considering Nets seem headed to blowing it up.
I’m a big fan of KD and Ben playing together. Unfortunately it seems KD does not believe Nets can win. Hence all the talk and noise. Coming out of Bklyn.
Kyrie is the trade that will hurt the most. You won’t get equal value. Lakers seem like best offer they will see. Another desperate team that can’t afford not to trade for him. Bron window is closed. He can’t carry a team. He expected AD to do it by now. Well he’s too brittle and as soft as Charmins.
Two picks, Westbrook, Dunn
For >>>> Kyrie, Harris
No one wants Kyrie except the Lakers. They can’t give you more than this.
Kyrie is NOT being traded. KD WILL be playing for Brooklyn. All this drama is pretty much a wrap.
NY is done with Kyrie. He’s a poison here. KD can’t stay after all this noise. After signing a new contract. The wise move is retool around Ben. At 34 KD value will never be higher. It’s over in Bklyn
I can confirm that Ben will be seeing extensive playing time at the “5” for Brooklyn.
@ Very:
Did Ben tell you that?
Ben can play small ball 5. But you need wings and guards to make it work. Nets best option is to retool around Ben. Suns would have been best deal. I would have jumped all over Ayton and Bridges. I think Kyrie has to be moved first. Nets can wait out for best deal for KD. Once the contenders get in place. Then the offers will get better.
The Lakers need Carmelo, he had a good season, can shoot better than anybody on that team outside of LeBron.
Lakers should sign Carmelo and DeMarcus Cousins and ride out another year with Russ.