Carmelo doubts he’ll be a Laker in 2014

July 14, 2012; Washington, DC, USA; United States forward Kobe Bryant (10) and United States forward Carmelo Anthony (15) smile on the sidelines during USA team training at the DC Armory. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Despite having a full season ahead of them, Lakers fans are more anxious for what the summer of 2014 will bring than what the season of 2013-14 will. With dreams of LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Kobe Bryant donning Lakers uniforms going into the 2014-15 season, Lakers fans are (hopelessly?) optimistic. And with upwards of $50 million in cap space projected, there is reason to be optimistic.

However, 1/3 of the Lakers future possible Big 3 may not want to come to Los Angeles next summer. Anthony, despite being spotted in Hollywood, was approached by paparazzi and asked if he could see himself in a Laker uniform next year. The answer was clear and to the point: “Uhh, I doubt it.”

In Anthony’s defense, you can’t expect him to (1) turn his back on a Knicks squad who could be title contenders next year or (2) commit to any team a year in advance of his possible free agency. As is, neither Anthony nor LeBron are guaranteed free agents next season, but both simply have opt-out clauses in their contracts. With the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, each player is eligible for a raise in salary for the 2014-15 season.

Brace yourselves Lakers fans. You have a full year of “reports” and “rumors” and mysterious “sources” coming out from LeBron and Carmelo.