LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony were classmates in the 2003 NBA Draft, with James going No. 1 and Anthony No. 3.
They went on to win three gold medals together on the U.S. Olympic team.
Now it appears they could finally be NBA teammates because James is reporteldy interested in bringing Anthony to the Lakers, according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic.
Via The Athletic:
He can’t be traded until at least Dec. 15, and sources said there had been no request made by James to Lakers president Magic Johnson or general manager Rob Pelinka to make a deal for his friend. Nor would there be.
But James and his camp still believe Anthony can play, that there could be a place for him as a contributor on a Lakers’ team that is young and continues to battle injuries. Brandon Ingram is the latest casualty. His sprained left ankle will keep him for at least the next two games.
And, broadly speaking, James does not want to see Anthony’s career end either with the Houston divorce or the 10-time All-Star playing out the string in this season in a market where he doesn’t want to be.
The Lakers are currently 15-9 and the No. 5 seed in the strong Western Conference.
Anthony could potentially serve as another veteran presence on a young team that includes Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma, as well as a group of so-called “misfits” like Lance Stephenson, Michael Beasley and the injured Rajon Rondo.
The Rockets waived Anthony last month and he played his final game with them on Nov. 8.
Anthony played just 10 games for the Rockets after signing a one-year, $2.4 million deal during the offseason.
Anthony was traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Atlanta Hawks in July before the Hawks released him to clear the way for him to sign with the Rockets.
The 34-year-old is a 10-time All-Star who has had a tough time over the last two seasons. He averaged a career-low 16.2 points in 78 starts in a tumultuous season for the Thunder last season before coming to Houston — and accepting a reserve role for the first time in his 16-year career.
Eight of Anthony’s 10 appearances for the Rockets came off the bench after he had started all 1,054 games he’d played in his first 15 NBA seasons.
The third overall pick in the 2003 draft has averaged 24 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3 assists in a career that also included stints with the Denver Nuggets and the New York Knicks.
(The AP contributed)
Photo: Harry How/Getty Images
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