NBA 2018-19: 3 reasons why Carmelo Anthony would be a good fit for the Los Angeles Lakers

It seems as though the Lakers are linked to a different NBA star every day. However, the Carmelo Anthony rumors refuse to go away.

The Lakers have a history of targeting Melo, and back in 2014, they wanted Anthony to become the new face of the franchise. Anthony turned down the struggling team on that occasion, although he is believed to now be interested in linking up with LeBron James in Los Angeles.

Lakers fans have been split over whether the team should sign the 10-time All-Star, so here we look at the three reasons why the Lakers and Anthony are a good fit.

#3 Mutual hunger to win

Anthony accepted a reduced role at the Championship chasing Rockets

Carmelo Anthony will go down as one of the greatest NBA scorers of all time, but his critics often point to his failure to win a Championship. Anthony will be aware that time is running out to prove his doubters wrong, and during the last 12 months, he has shown a willingness to sacrifice in order to win a have a shot at a Championship.

Anthony first expanded his list of trade teams to join the ambitious Oklahoma City Thunder in the summer of 2017, and the 34-year-old most recently settled for a bench role with the title-chasing Houston Rockets.

At this point in his career, Anthony is not just looking for a payday, and the player would cherish the chance to chase a Championship alongside his longtime friend, LeBron James.

#2 He's probably the Lakers' best option until 2019

Anthony Davis is unlikely to join the Lakers this season

The Lakers are well known for chasing players such as Anthony Davis. However, it seems increasingly unlikely that a superstar will land in Los Angeles before the summer of 2019.

The Lakers still have the possibility of landing a lesser star such as John Wall, although Magic Johnson has been reluctant to give up any of the Lakers' young core, so a trade like that looks unlikely too.

On the other hand, the Rockets are actively looking to get rid of Melo, and they want little in return. Melo is currently signed to a one-year veteran's minimum contract, and the Lakers are simply not going to find another player like him who can contribute 15 points a game.

#1 He could boost the bench

For the first time in his career, Melo is open to coming off the bench

Carmelo Anthony's stay in Houston was extremely brief, although NBA fans will now always remember it as the point in Melo's career where he finally accepted a role from the bench. Last season he memorably dismissed any notion of appearing as part of the Thunder's reserve unit, but he has had a change of heart in Houston. After 1,054 consecutive starts, Melo appeared from the bench for the first time in his career.

The Lakers are desperately missing reliable scorers from the bench, and although the sample size is small, Melo showed in Houston that he was able to contribute well from the bench. He averaged almost 15 points per game during his eight appearances from the Rockets' reserve unit, and if he could replicate that form in Los Angles, only LeBron James, Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram would outscore him.

The Lakers have very little to lose by signing Anthony, and this could eventually be looked back at as one of the most inspired moves of the season.

Let us know in the comments whether you believe Carmelo Anthony is a good fit for the Lakers. Also visit our dedicated Basketball section for the latest news, rumors and analysis.