After initial reports suggested otherwise, it appears that the Lakers will indeed get a face-to-face meeting with free agent Carmelo Anthony this week. From Marc Stein of ESPN:
"Sources told ESPN.com that Anthony is in the process of arranging a trip to Chicago to meet with the Bulls, then intends to travel to Texas for Wednesday meetings with both the Houston Rockets and the Dallas Mavericks.Sources say Anthony is likely to visit the Rockets first on Wednesday, followed by the Mavericks in the afternoon.Anthony, who maintains an offseason home in Los Angeles, is also expected to meet with the Los Angeles Lakers face-to-face next week."
The Lakers and Anthony have long been rumored as partners, mainly centered around Kobe Bryant and Melo’s friendship. On top of that, the Lakers still hold out the pipe dream of pairing Anthony and superstar LeBron James this summer with Bryant, forming their own Big 3. However unlikely it may be, the Lakers still have plan B’s and C’s, but getting Melo would certainly be a great coup.
With a depleted roster, the Lakers are in dire need of star power to go with the aging Bryant. Whether it be this summer with James, Anthony, or even Chris Bosh or next summer with the likes of Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, or Rajon Rondo, the Lakers are looking for someone to pass the torch to.