LeBron James Can Influence Forward's Need For New Deal: Stephen A Smith

Carmelo Anthony going unsigned in free agency thus far has riled a lot of current players, former players and NBA experts. Stephen A. Smith is the latest to come out in support of the veteran forward, who is desperate to play one final farewell season in the NBA.

The 35-year-old has been a free agent since Chicago Bulls waived him in January and his last game in the NBA was in November 2018 with the Houston Rockets with whom he played 10 games during the 2018-19 campaign. He has been training regularly but has not generated enough interest from teams to earn a contract.

The New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers were said to have looked at the player but have not made a concrete offer thus far. Anthony is a 10-time All-Star and many believe he should be playing in the NBA. Smith has called on the greatest player of the current generation, LeBron James, who is a close friend of the forward, to pull some strings and get him signed.

Smith admits that James cannot sign him as he is a player and not a front office executive, but he is certain that the three-time NBA champion currently part of the Lakers organization has the clout to get his friend signed this summer.

The ESPN NBA insider also referenced former NBA player Royce White’s comments where he criticized the league for blackballing Anthony while also singling out James for abandoning his “Banana Boat” brother.

“There are 450 players in the National Basketball Association. You can’t find 450 players on the planet better than Carmelo Anthony, I don’t give a damn what anybody says or what point he’s at right now. There are not 450 players better than Carmelo Anthony, so I appreciate him (White) making that point,” Smith said on ESPN’s “First Take”.

“It’s not like LeBron has an obligation to anything, let’s be clear about that, he’s a player, he’s not an executive, but Royce makes a valid point in this regard: that’s your man, and LeBron James does have clout and cachet."

“Now I happen to know that on several occasions LeBron James has spoken on behalf of Carmelo Anthony; I happen to know on at least one or two occasions the subject has been brought between LeBron and Carmelo Anthony… I think what we have to appreciate is that LeBron James is the iconic brand in the basketball world,” he added.