Carmelo Anthony Had LeBron James’ ‘Blessing’ To Sign With Lakers

LeBron James wanted to bring Carmelo Anthony in Los Angeles, and reportedly gave the front office a “blessing” to sign his friend in the offseason. Well, Carmelo didn’t really fit in the Lakers’ plans for the future, and they went in a completely different direction.

Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reported details of this story, and even provided comments from Anthony about his time on the free-agent market before inking a deal with the Portland Trail Blazers.

It was a tough situation

According to Carmelo, NBA teams didn’t want to get involved in a situation of having to handle with what role he was going to accept and questioning if he was going to accept the role. The media stirred everything nicely. Carmelo believes that NBA teams were positive about his contribution to the game, and explained that his situation was related to issues outside the basketball world.

“Honestly, I think it was more of, not intimidation, but it was more so teams not wanting to put themselves in that situation of having to deal with what role I was going to accept and questioning if I was going to accept my role and the media [attention] that’s behind it all. Just everything that comes along with bringing me in. Nobody knew where I was at, as far as what I was thinking. I think it was more so of everything else outside of basketball. I don’t think anybody thought, ‘Oh, he can’t play anymore. He can’t do this.’ It was everything that had to do with outside of basketball.”

There was a growing speculation about the reunion of LeBron and his friend. They were both drafted in the 2003 NBA Draft. Of course, LeBron was more successful.

Always hear how much all the NBA stars love Melo. Really think Lebron never had the juice to get him on one of his rosters. Puh-leeeeeese. #FakeLove

— Colin Cowherd (@ColinCowherd) November 20, 2019

The king had two stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and played with two other teams. Portland is Carmelo’s fifth team. Have you ever noticed that none of LeBron’s squads featured Carmelo? LeBron has the power to influence NBA teams, but he couldn’t bring Melo in Los Angeles.

The blessing didn’t work

Let’s be honest. The Blazers are a better fit on paper than the Lakers for Carmelo. Wonder why? He still tries to convince everyone that he can have an impact on the game. Los Angeles has a few players competing for minutes on the wing. Portland needed someone to take some of the offensive pressure off Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum after their weak start.

Carmelo averages 14 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in his first two appearances. Portland lost both games. He shoots just 34.5 percent from the field, and knocks down five of his eight attempts from three-point range (62.5 percent).

LeBron couldn’t convince the Lakers to sign, but he will definitely meet him on the floor at some point of the season. Well, his team is winning games. We all know what that means.