Carmelo Anthony is one of the greatest offensive players to ever play the game of basketball. It’s easy to forget the incredible longevity Carmelo has shown after his career basically ended in 2019 after the Houston Rockets decided they needed to let him go 14 games into the season.
Melo came back into the league with the Portland Trail Blazers and showed his proficiency as an off-the-bench scorer, who would occasionally start for the team. After two seasons with Portland, Melo joined up with his 2003 draft-mate and best friend LeBron James on the LA Lakers, who were expected to make a run to the title.
The Lakers failed to make the Playoffs, meaning Anthony is still yet to become a champion in this league despite being on the precipice of Year 20. There’s no player in NBA history to have earned a spot as a top-10 all-time scorer and never win a league MVP or an NBA title.
Melo is a free agent this season, so it will be interesting to see whether he joins another title favorite or if he will re-sign with the Lakers who have a new coach and system in place? Melo averaged 13.3 points per game this season but was one of the worst defenders in the Lakers lineup (which is saying something).
If he does re-sign, he will be hoping that the new attitude Lakers can make a run. But many teams may be interested to have Anthony off the bench as a scoring punch.
With his career winding down, it is now or never for Anthony to end his career as a champion. He will indisputably be one of the best players to never win a championship if he retires ringless.
