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Pros and cons of the Los Angeles Lakers re-signing Carmelo Anthony

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 21: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers runs back on defense during the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 21, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 21: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers runs back on defense during the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 21, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Lakers fans were excited when the team brought in the future Basketball Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony last summer.

The Syracuse alum did what he does best and provided a solid scoring option for the team. One of the select few players on this team to shoot better than 35% from three.

It has been reported that the Lakers and other teams have been interested in bringing back the Syracuse alum. With Anthony not having many years left in the tank, this may be one of his final chances to compete for a ring.

Cons of the Los Angeles Lakers re-signing Carmelo Anthony

While this writer isn’t opposed to bringing back the 38-year-old, it wouldn’t be the first choice in mind. Last season was a wake-up call for this team that fatigue, age, and regression must be accounted for when building a team.

We don’t know what kind of regression the forward will see, although he had a strong season for the Lake Show. We’ve already seen the team take a step in the right direction by signing much younger players this offseason.

Those players include Lonnie Walker IV, Thomas Bryant, Troy Brown Jr, and more. Giving some of these younger guys a chance to shine could be the X-factor for this team. Cole Swider is another name that I would like to play some minutes for this team.

The team would also be better off if they went in a different direction to boost their shooting. There are still some great names on the trade market like Buddy Hield, Eric Gordon, and Malik Beasley that make far more sense.

Pros of the Los Angeles Lakers re-signing Carmelo Anthony

Now it wouldn’t be the worst thing ever to bring the 6-foot-7 forward. Carmelo Anthony is a top 75 NBA player of all time. His knowledge of the game of basketball is far superior to most. He could serve as a great mentor to some of these younger players

and teach them what he knows. We’ve seen plenty of older players in this league be a big part of younger players development.

Anthony also is still a decent player in this league. He averaged 13.9 PPG on 44% shooting and 4.2 RPG. As stated earlier, Anthony was also one of the team’s best three-point shooters last year. He shot a solid 37.5 % from beyond the arc.

While the team has improved in other areas this offseason, three-point shooting is still a big concern. Resigning the veteran would slightly help if he can replicate last season.

The verdict:

Overall the future hall of Famer wouldn’t be my first choice to sign, but if the team does so, I wouldn’t mind it. The team is better off going after someone who is younger and can shoot even more effectively beyond the arc or developing the younger talent on the team.

Anthony shouldn’t be on the market much longer, so if the team wants to make a move, they should do it quickly.

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