NBA: LeBron, Lakers Will Benefit With Forward's Arrival, Smith Says

The calls for Carmelo Anthony to be signed by an NBA franchise before the 2019-20 season gets underway is getting louder each day with more current players, ex-players and experts coming out in support of the veteran forward. The 10-time All-Star is desperate to play at least one more season in the NBA before calling time on his career but at the moment is not generating too much interest from teams.

Dwayne Wade was the most recent ex-player to come out and urge the NBA to give Anthony a chance, suggesting that he still has a lot to contribute given the right role. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith is the latest to come out and support the forward’s bid to play in the league and he has called on one of Anthony’s best friends – LeBron James - to make it happen.

The Lakers were among the teams initially interested in signing Anthony but they have not made a concrete offer thus far, opting to look elsewhere to fill their roster ahead of training camp. The veteran forward’s former team New York Knicks were also an option but they too have not followed up on their initial interest.

Smith has called on James to come out and help his friend and find a way to get him on the Lakers roster for the next season. Many believe the three-time NBA champion has the clout to make it happen, however, the liability will fall on the franchise and James will not have to bear the burden.

“I personally, personally believe that LeBron should find a way to get him in LA,” Smith told Power 105’s The Breakfast Club on Thursday, as quoted on Heavy. “I personally believe that. I think that LeBron in LA could use him with the Lakers.”

The Lakers do have one roster spot remaining and many believe Anthony can make a telling contribution as they look to end their playoff drought next season. Apart from the Los Angeles franchise, one potential option for Anthony is Brooklyn Nets, who are looking for a forward as they will be without Kevin Durant for the entire season and recently lost forward Wilson Chandler to a 25-game suspension.

The Nets were looking at Joe Johnson as an alternative but the veteran forward is expected to have agreed a partially guaranteed contract with the Detroit Pistons. A recent report suggested that Kyrie Irving and Durant were pushing the Brooklyn franchise to sign Anthony but concerns remain if the forward will accept a lesser role.