Quick Bytes
- Carmelo Anthony shares details of a nearly completed trade to the Lakers in 2011.
- The proposed trade involved Anthony and Nenê for Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum.
- George Karl, then Nuggets coach, vetoed the trade, not wanting Anthony in the Western Conference.
- LeBron James expresses contentment with the Lakers amidst free agency rumors.
Inside Carmelo Anthony’s Near-Trade to the Lakers
Carmelo Anthony’s tenure with the Denver Nuggets was filled with drama, culminating in a high-profile trade to the New York Knicks in 2011. However, Anthony recently revealed a previously unknown twist: a trade that would have sent him to the Los Angeles Lakers was on the table. The deal, which also included Nenê, would have exchanged the duo for Lakers’ Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum. This revelation sheds new light on Anthony’s departure from Denver and the Nuggets’ strategic decisions at the time.
Why the Lakers Trade Didn’t Happen
The Lakers, coming off consecutive championships, were looking to bolster their roster around Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. Anthony, with his 25.2 points per game, seemed like an ideal addition. However, George Karl, the Nuggets’ coach, was reluctant to trade Anthony within the Western Conference, leading to the collapse of the deal. This decision redirected Anthony’s career path to New York, while the Lakers’ subsequent seasons saw attempts to reconfigure their roster, including a failed bid for Chris Paul.
LeBron James and His Future with the Lakers
In current Lakers news, LeBron James has addressed speculation about his happiness with the team. Despite rumors of a potential departure in free agency, James has publicly affirmed his satisfaction with the Lakers, acknowledging the franchise’s storied history and expressing hope to remain part of the team. His future, however, remains uncertain as free agency approaches.
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