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The NBA Buyout market has now been finalized as players had until March 1 to agree to a buyout in order to be eligible for the 2019 playoffs. Due to their ongoing struggles, the Los Angeles Lakers have been actively searching for additions in the buyout market, with reports continuing to link the franchise with a man who has been searching for a new team since November.
Following the Houston Rockets' disastrous start to the season, Carmelo Anthony was released by the team after featuring just 10 times, and in the four months that have since passed, Anthony has failed to find a permanent new home.
Nevertheless, the former Knicks man is eligible for the playoffs, having been waived by the Chicago Bulls back in January, and here we will examine three reasons why the Lakers should pursue a move for the 10-time All-Star.
#3 The Lakers need to keep LeBron happy
After signing LeBron James last summer, few expected the Los Angeles Lakers to end the Golden State Warriors' dominance. Nevertheless, the team were widely tipped to reach the playoffs, with a number of analysts backing them to reach the West Finals.
Despite this, the Lakers' season has slowly unraveled, and as the NBA season enters March, Luke Walton's team sit 10th in the West standings.
Upon signing last summer, LeBron was aware that the Lakers project would not yield success overnight, although the superstar expected Paul George to join him in LA. Of course, PG13 opted to remain in Oklahoma City, and the Lakers' highly publicized January move for Anthony Davis also fell apart.
The failed moves have left the Lakers short in terms of quality and dating back to December of last year, LeBron has been publicly campaigning for the organization to sign Melo. Ultimately, the Lakers seem on the verge of a disaster, and with James looking increasingly frustrated during the team's recent games, the organization should do everything in its power to appease the face of the franchise.
Also read: Predicted Starting Lineup and Match Prediction: Boston Celtics vs Golden State Warriors
Also read: NBA Daily Schedule, TV Listings, and Latest Results - 5th March
#2 Lack of other options
It has been widely reported that the Los Angeles Lakers want to use their final roster spot on a big man, however, the team's chances of landing a new starting center now look over. The Lakers have already missed out to rival teams for the likes of Enes Kanter and Pau Gasol, while the organization's number one target (DeAndre Jordan) failed to agree to a buyout.
This leaves the Lakers with a buyout market that is headlined by Greg Monroe and Marcin Gortat. Both players are reliable reserves, however, it is a stretch to say that the addition of either will help to secure an unlikely playoff spot for Luke Walton's team.
Ultimately, the Lakers should stick with JaVale McGee and hope that his form from 2018 returns and this solution also opens up the final roster spot for an offensive specialist such as Melo.
#1 Anthony's demise has been exaggerated
Over the last 16 months, Carmelo Anthony has been heavily criticized by fans and analysts alike. Anthony's reluctance to come off the bench, poor defense and fading offensive powers have all been targeted for criticism, although when looking over Melo's stats from this period, the 10-time All-Star's demise has been greatly exaggerated.
During his 12 month spell in an Oklahoma City uniform, Anthony averaged 16.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, while also accepting a catch and shoot role on the wing. Even during his brief 10 game spell from Houston's bench, Anthony managed 13.4 points and 5.4 rebounds, while shooting 36% from beyond the arc.
Evidently, Anthony is no longer the same offensive force that won the NBA scoring title with the Knicks back in 2013, however, the 34-year-old can still provide an offensive threat from the bench that the Lakers are currently lacking. At this point, the organization has nothing to lose in handing the veteran a contract until the summer, and Anthony could be re-energized as he seeks to prove his doubters wrong.
