Brandon Ingram Claim Made About Lakers’ Carmelo Anthony Trade Interest

Carmelo Anthony is definitely not washed up, and he fits better next to LeBron James than Brandon Ingram.

Well, that’s what ESPN’s NBA insider Stephen A. Smith said. Melo joined the Chicago Bills after his 10-game tenure with the Houston Rockets. However, the Bulls will not play the 34-year-old player, and are already planning to trade or waive him in the next couple of weeks. Is he going to LA next? Is Ingram going somewhere else?

Smith claims that LeBron would play much better with Melo than Ingram.

Melo is a better fit than Ingram

“I’m not seeing an eradication in the game of ‘Melo,” Smith explained. “I’m seeing ‘Melo not being the same physical specimen that he once was because he didn’t take better care of his body. ‘Melois at a stage now where two places are ideal for him; Philadelphia because Jimmy Butler and Joel Embiid and to a significantly lesser degree JJ Redick, needs another person that can shoot the perimeter shot for them. Because that’s the one thing Ben Simmons is not going to do for you. Simmons is the second coming of LeBron in the making, he is special, I love him. But he doesn’t shoot and can’t shoot perimeter shots yet.”

“You need an additional shooter in Philadelphia but I was told at least weeks ago they weren’t interested in ‘Melo. I don’t know if that’s changed. LA is a different ball game because LeBron, having told ‘Melo he needs to be in shape if and when called upon, still has to convince Magic [Johnson] and [Rob] Pelinka to do it. It’s not so much LeBron desperately wants Melo in LA but he believes ‘Melo got screwed over in Houston and wants to salvage his reputation in LA and is willing to help him do that so long as ‘Melo is willing to do the necessary work to make that happen.”

“’Melo is not a No 1 option, he can’t carry the load anymore because he didn’t take as good care of himself physically as he should have but he can still play, he can still ball, he can still score. Of the 10 games he played in Houston, I think he scored over 20 points in four of those, two he had over 25. If you’re a scrub you can’t do that. If he were in LA playing with LeBron, he’s going to get him open shots and don’t tell me he can’t make some of them. I believe ‘Melo could come to LA, average 15 points per game and contribute to the Lakers. I actually think he’s a better fit than Brandon Ingram even though Ingram is no scrub and is considerably younger and with a stronger upside because of it. I don’t think LA is the ideal situation for Ingram. LeBron needs shooters, Josh Hart, [Kyle] Kuzma, ‘Melo – people like that. That’s what he needs to pair with the [Lance] Stephensons, [Rajon] Rondos, the Tyson Chandlers and [Ivica] Zubac the center. I think Pelinka and Magic should get ‘Melo and that would be Melo’s very last chance. If it doesn’t work out in LA, he needs to retire, but I don’t think he’s there yet.”

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