Free Agent Wants Knicks Move, But Lakers Seems Likely Destination

Carmelo Anthony is keen to play in the NBA again next season after sitting out the second-half of the 2018-19 campaign. The veteran forward is reportedly keen to end his career with the New York Knicks – the team he spent six seasons with between 2011 and 2017.

The 35-year-old played 10 games with Houston Rockets last season before general manager Daryl Morey announced that he will be leaving the team mid-November. He was traded to the Chicago Bulls in January but they immediately waived him leaving Anthony without a team for the rest of the season.

The 10-time NBA All-Star did not re-sign with another team and is looking to make a return ahead of the 2019-20 campaign. Ian Begley of SNY.tv reports that Anthony is keen to sign with the Knicks and finish his career in New York.

However, the six-time All-NBA team member is not said to be high on the list of priorities for the Knicks, who are looking to rebuild this summer after ending last season as the team with the worst record in the league. The SNY report claims most executives around the league believe Los Angeles Lakers is the most likely destination for Anthony this summer.

Anthony is good friends with LeBron James and the Lakers had some interest in signing the forward last season. They could make a play for the veteran again this year as they look to fill their roster on a limited budget following the blockbuster trade for Anthony Davis, which saw them lose three members of their young core – Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart and Brandon Ingram.

Anthony, who is currently a free agent, averaged 13.4 points and 5.4 assists in 10 games with the Rockets last season, but his conditioning and fitness will be a concern for the Lakers. The Los Angeles franchise is keen to sign a third star with their remaining cap space which could rise to $32 million, but have also been linked to free agents lower in the pecking order, namely, Brook Lopez, DeAndre Jordan and Bobby Portis.