NBA Free Agency 2021: 3 Reasons why LA Lakers should pursue Carmelo Anthony in the offseason

#2 Carmelo Anthony will be a financially viable option for the LA Lakers

Lakers GM Rob Pelinka

Carmelo Anthony has played each of the last three seasons at the veteran's minimum; there's no reason for him to decline a similar offer from the LA Lakers. This works out incredibly in the favor of the LA Lakers, who'll have roughly $121.9 million in committed salaries if they exercise the team option on Alfonzo McKinnie and Montrezl Harell opts into his player option.

The LA Lakers are potentially looking at eight-figure extensions for both Alex Caruso and Talen Horton-Tucker. That would put them over the luxury threshold. Even if they somehow avoid becoming a taxpaying team, the Purple and Gold would only have the mid-level exception to sign external free agents this offseason.

Rob Pelinka says he’s been empowered to spend "smartly" to build a winner for the Lakers in free agency. https://t.co/J1y3YuuXjF pic.twitter.com/oADTW8X375

— Silver Screen and Roll (@LakersSBN) June 8, 2021

Carmelo Anthony will have to be offered a minimum of $2.3 million based on his playing experience. Even if the LA Lakers offer Melo a one-year $3 million deal, it would give them enough space to add another player on a cheap contract.

#3 Carmelo Anthony's leadership and camaraderie with LeBron James

Carmelo guards LeBron

A lot has been said about Carmelo Anthony's ego since his New York days, but he showed everyone in Portland that he's happy to buy into whatever role he's asked to play. He played second-fiddle to Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum but acted as a mentor when the need arose.

The situation is bound to get better in Los Angeles because Melo will be playing with his good friend LeBron James. You can almost guarantee that there will be no off-the-court issues and that's rarely the case with former superstars past their prime.

👌 12 points in 5 minutes for Melo 👌@trailblazers 35@nuggets 30Start of 2Q.. #NBAPlayoffs on ESPN pic.twitter.com/YWc59Q3wcD

— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2021

More importantly, Carmelo still retains his ability to take over games. There were several instances towards the end of the 2020-21 regular season where Melo carried the Portland Trail Blazers on his back with Lillard struggling from the field. He's still got that killer instinct to turn up when it matters the most. Suffice to say, the LA Lakers lack such names outside of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

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