Lakers Rumors: Carmelo Anthony offered max deal

The Lakers finished their meeting with Carmelo Anthony earlier this evening and according to sources, they offered him the max deal of 4 years around $96 million, which would make him one of the highest paid players in the league.

In reality, one of the only advantages the Lakers hold over other teams is their ability to offer a max deal. Only the Knicks can offer anything equal or better. If he accepts, Anthony’s $21.6 million and Kobe Bryant‘s $23.5 million would account for $45 of the possible ~$63 million possible in cap space. It would also require the Lakers to renounce rights to Pau Gasol in order to sign the deal as well as likely leading to the Lakers waiving Nash and using the stretch provision, reducing his cap hit to $3 million over the next 3 years.

Still, Anthony brings something to the table that the Lakers lack: star power. The Lakers’ roster is bare and seriously lacking talent. Anthony would immediately make the Lakers playoff contenders and, with Bryant, would create one of the best offenses in the league.

Now, after meeting with Bryant tonight, Anthony will take the holiday weekend to think his decision over before likely making a decision by the beginning of next week.