NBA Rumors: Lakers Likely Getting a Knick For Last Roster Spot

Carmelo Anthony is looming as the only option for the Lakers unless they opt not to fill in that last roster spot. Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks reacts after he is called for a foul in the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden on March 27, 2017 in New York City. Getty Images/Elsa

The clock is ticking on the Los Angeles Lakers to fill up that last roster spot - that is if they have any intention of doing so. With the New York Knicks unlikely to settle a buyout with DeAndre Jordan, Carmelo Anthony is looming as the best alternative for the purple and gold.

The Lakers need to act with a sense of urgency since there is a deadline for players waived to be eligible to play in the postseason wars. They must be waived by 11:59 EST for that to happen, the Los Angeles Times reported.

With Jordan likely to stay in Gotham, the Lakers will have to forego their needs of getting a big man in the mix. Of the remaining names in the free agent market, only Anthony looms as the logical choice. The good news is that the 34-year-old addresses one of the concerns of the Lakers - that of which is more offensive options.

The fact that Anthony holds close ties with LeBron James further bolsters the chance of this happening. A problem that could ensue is redundancy at the small forward position. The Lakers acquired Reggie Bullock from the Detroit Pistons earlier this month so getting him or Melo to heat up and deliver could be a problem unless head coach Luke Walton moves up one of them to the power forward position.

Right now, the transactions made by the Lakers at the NBA trade deadline caused that big void in the middle. Although they do have JaVale McGee and Tyson Chandler to alternate in the paint, sending off Ivica Zubac and Michael Beasley for Mike Muscala could come back to haunt them, ESPN reported.

McGee and Chandler can hold up although both are no longer as young as they used to be. Zubac was seen as the heir apparent until the landscape changed for Los Angeles. Part of that was the botched Anthony Davis trade which shook not only the Lakers but the NBA as a whole also earlier this month.

Another problem on the Lakers' end is their push for the playoffs. At 30-31, the odds are stacked on James and company. A string of victories could improve their chances - a reason why they wanted to have a tested big man.

With that out of the table, Anthony could come in instead and provide shooting. There are questions on chemistry and ball sharing mentioned, an issue that perhaps James can help out if he talks some sense in Melo.