After three highly publicized days of “Carmelo Watch” as he traveled the country, things have went silent for the better part of two days. However, the Lakers may be moving into the lead for the high scoring perimeter player, according to multiple sources.
Hearing the Lakers made a MAJOR impact on Melo this week - it's now a legit 3-way battle between LA/Chi/NYK to land him. Crazy NBA weekend.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) July 5, 2014
Lakers have moved into serious contention on Carmelo Anthony, multiple sources tell Yahoo. "In the game now," one source close to Melo says.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 5, 2014
Carmelo Anthony canvassed from Chicago to Texas and into Los Angeles to be recruited by the Bulls, Rockets, Mavs, Lakers and Knicks. However, it’ll be a battle between his first stop and the latter two for his services.
Anthony brings a scoring ability that the Lakers lacked last year, mainly due to the absence of Bryant to injury. However, with Bryant, Anthony and the Black Mamba would consist of one of the league’s best one-two punches.
Despite the controversial extension offered to Kobe Bryant in the winter, the Lakers maintained that they could offer a max deal this summer, and have. In fact, their ability to offer a max was a positive for Anthony.
Now, the Lakers will anxiously wait. Anthony is expected to make a decision before the end of the weekend, and with his decision, a lot of dominoes will fall. For one, the Lakers own Pau Gasol has said Anthony’s decision will influence his own decision. Just how much of a discount Gasol would give the Lakers is yet to be determined.
The prospect of playing with Melo and Bryant could also lead other veterans to sign on for the minimum or a discounted rate. And none of this is to even mention the possibility of luring in LeBron as well.
Regardless, within the next week, decisions will be made, so brace yourselves Lakers fans.