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Los Angeles Lakers: 4 reasons not to pursue Carmelo Anthony

By Kenneth Teape

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 21: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder cheers from the bench in the first half during Game Three of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 21, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 21: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder cheers from the bench in the first half during Game Three of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 21, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers: 4 reasons not to pursue Carmelo Anthony
Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images /

3. Defensive Liability

Last season the Lakers made great strides on the defensive end of the court. Los Angeles had been a sieve defensively in the first season under Luke Walton. However, they turned things around in a major way in his second season at the helm.

After finishing last in the NBA in defensive rating in the 2016-17 season, the Lakers improved to 12th in the league in 2017-18. The defense was a focus for the team the last offseason as Josh Hart, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Lonzo Ball all were plus defenders. Brook Lopez also helped as a rim protector.

This season, the emphasis has once again been on defense. Rajon Rondo and Lance Stephenson both have reputations as tough, defensive-minded players. LeBron James can be a lockdown defender when needed. JaVale McGee provides a springy rim protector as the last line of defense. Hart, Caldwell-Pope and Ball should all continue improving as well.

Anthony does not fit into that plan. He has never been regarded as a strong defender and he is not improving in that area as he ages and his athleticism diminishes. Last season with the Thunder, Anthony was actually a negative player according to Basketball-Reference.com.

Anthony had an offensive rating of 104 and a defensive rating of 109. It was the third time in four seasons that Anthony had a lower offensive rating than a defensive rating. It is hard to believe that Anthony would provide any better production on that end of the court this season.

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