We’re a few weeks into the 2022-23 NBA season, and free agent Carmelo Anthony has yet to sign with a team. There were rumors during the offseason about a few teams that he could sign with, including the New York Knicks. Melo spent the 2021-22 season with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he proved that he’s still a valuable asset off the bench.
After Anthony’s tenure brief tenure ended with the Houston Rockets in November of 2018, it appeared as if the 10-time All-Star’s career had come to a close. Retirement is something that he had already begun to accept, but then, the Portland Trail Blazers came calling. In Oregon, Melo was able to rejuvenate his career. He averaged 14.3 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 42.5% from the field and 39.9% from three in two seasons.
Before the 2021-22 season, Melo signed with the Lakers in what was supposed to result in a deep playoff run. Instead, Los Angeles missed the play-in tournament.
And now, Carmelo Anthony’s still waiting to learn what his next career move will be.
3 teams that should sign former Knicks star Carmelo Anthony
3: Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers have seemingly picked up where they left off last season as they are off to another poor start. LA’s biggest problem is that the team lacks shooting, which is something that Melo was able to provide last year. He averaged 13.3 points and shot 44.1% from the floor (the highest for him since the 2014-15 season in New York) and 37.5% from three.
Right now, the Lakers’ main focus needs to be finding a way to make a trade with the Pacers that would send Myles Turner and Buddy Hield to LA. But it wouldn’t hurt for Rob Pelinka to consider bringing Melo back for his scoring off the bench alone.
After assembling a team full of veterans in 2021 that went up in flames, the Lakers made an effort to embrace youth in the offseason. Melo certainly doesn’t fit that mold, but with LeBron James signing a two-year extension in September, LA needs to prioritize getting him help.
If the Lakers are interested in bringing back Melo, there’s the chance that he may not be interested in returning to La La Land. The veteran could be prioritizing signing with a true contender so that he can have a chance to win a ring, and that’s not going to happen in Los Angeles.
New York Knicks</a>. Melo spent the 2021-22 season with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he proved that he’s still a valuable asset off the bench.</p>
<p>After Anthony’s tenure brief tenure ended with the Houston Rockets in November of 2018, it appeared as if the 10-time All-Star’s career had come to a close. Retirement is something that he had already begun to accept, but then, the Portland Trail Blazers came calling. In Oregon, Melo was able to rejuvenate his career. He averaged 14.3 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 42.5% from the field and 39.9% from three in two seasons.</p>
<p>Before the 2021-22 season, Melo signed with the Lakers in what was supposed to result in a deep playoff run. Instead, Los Angeles <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/11/12/3-team-strongly-consider-signing-former-knicks-star-carmelo-anthony/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/04/11/new-york-knicks-outperforming-lebron-james-lakers-twist-didnt-expect/">missed the play-in tournament</a>.</p>
<p>And now, Carmelo Anthony’s still waiting to learn what his next career move will be.</p>
<h2>3 teams that should sign former Knicks star Carmelo Anthony</h2>
<h3>3: Los Angeles Lakers</h3>
<p>The Lakers have seemingly picked up where they left off last season as they are off to another poor start. LA’s biggest problem is that the team lacks shooting, which is something that Melo was able to provide last year. He averaged 13.3 points and shot 44.1% from the floor (the highest for him since the 2014-15 season in New York) and 37.5% from three.</p>
<p>Right now, the Lakers’ main focus needs to be finding a way to make a trade with the Pacers that would send Myles Turner and Buddy Hield to LA. But it wouldn’t hurt for Rob Pelinka to consider <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/11/12/3-team-strongly-consider-signing-former-knicks-star-carmelo-anthony/"https://lakeshowlife.com/2022/07/07/lakers-free-agency-carmelo-anthony-fate/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bringing Melo back</a> for his scoring off the bench alone.</p>
<p>After assembling a team full of veterans in 2021 that went up in flames, the Lakers made an effort to embrace youth in the offseason. Melo certainly doesn’t fit that mold, but with LeBron James signing a two-year extension in September, LA needs to prioritize getting him help.</p>
<p>If the Lakers are interested in bringing back Melo, there’s the chance that he may not be interested in returning to La La Land. The veteran could be prioritizing signing with a true contender so that he can have a chance to win a ring, and that’s not going to happen in Los Angeles.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/11/12/3-team-strongly-consider-signing-former-knicks-star-carmelo-anthony/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> A move back to NYC </a>
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<img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-135674" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/11/12/3-team-strongly-consider-signing-former-knicks-star-carmelo-anthony/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2389,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2022%2F11%2F1361196797.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Carmelo Anthony" width="3200" height="2389" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/11/1361196797.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/11/1361196797-768x573.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Carmelo Anthony, Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) – New York Knicks</p>
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<h3>2: Brooklyn Nets</h3>
<p>If Carmelo Anthony does return to the city, it’s likely going to be to join the Brooklyn Nets. Reportedly, he’s been in talks <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/11/12/3-team-strongly-consider-signing-former-knicks-star-carmelo-anthony/"https://twitter.com/ScoopB/status/1587168413507637248" target="_blank" rel="noopener">with the Nets</a> recently after being linked to the team over the summer.</p>
<p>Like Los Angeles, Brooklyn has been off to a rocky start to the season both on and off the court. Between <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/11/12/3-team-strongly-consider-signing-former-knicks-star-carmelo-anthony/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/11/01/knicks-fans-happy-steve-nash-leave-nets-dumpster-fire/">Steve Nash</a> no longer being the head coach and Kyrie Irving being suspended, the Nets can’t seem to catch a break.</p>
<p>After Kevin Durant decided to “move forward” with Brooklyn this summer a couple of months after he requested a trade, it was assumed that the Nets would make another run at a title. It would be foolish to ever count a team led by KD out, and perhaps with the organization moving forward with Jacque Vaughn as the head coach, Brooklyn will turn a corner.</p>
<p>KD’s in his third season with the Nets, and if they want to equip themselves to make a run in the playoffs, having Melo as a reliable role player would give them a boost offensively. He wouldn’t help Brooklyn’s defensive woes though, which is a whole different issue. But Melo would also be a valuable veteran presence for a team that desperately needs it.</p>
<p>It’d sting for Knicks fans to watch Melo win a ring with the Nets of all teams but at the same time, he’d deserve it.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/11/12/3-team-strongly-consider-signing-former-knicks-star-carmelo-anthony/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Helping out a contender </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-135673" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/11/12/3-team-strongly-consider-signing-former-knicks-star-carmelo-anthony/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2022%2F11%2F1390141295.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns, Carmelo Anthony" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/11/1390141295.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/11/1390141295-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Carmelo Anthony, Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – New York Knicks</p>
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<h3>1: Phoenix Suns</h3>
<p>Carmelo Anthony’s already teamed up with his good friend LeBron in Los Angeles, so why not do the same with Chris Paul in Phoenix? Out of the three teams mentioned, the Suns would give Melo the best chance to be part of a championship team.</p>
<p>Phoenix will be <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/11/12/3-team-strongly-consider-signing-former-knicks-star-carmelo-anthony/"https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/cam-johnson-injury-update-suns-forward-to-miss-1-2-months-after-meniscus-surgery-per-report/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">without Cam Johnson</a> for one to two months due to him undergoing surgery to remove part of his right meniscus. He started in the eight games that he played in before getting injured and averaged 13 points while shooting 44.6% from the field and 43.1% from three. If the Suns want to try to make up for some of the scoring that they’ll be without in Johnson’s absence, signing Melo should be an option.</p>
<p>Phoenix has one of the best offenses and defenses in the NBA, but the Suns could use some additional three-point shooting. Currently, the Suns are 15th in the league in three-point percentage, and it doesn’t help that Johnson is out.</p>
<p>Melo would help to elevate Phoenix’s bench unit on the offensive end and he has playoff experience. The Suns have the chance to make it back to the NBA Finals for the second time in three seasons and signing Carmelo Anthony would give their bench an offensive spark.</p>
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