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.
Carmelo Anthony’s Near Trade to Lakers in 2011
Carmelo Anthony, the NBA star whose departure from the Denver Nuggets to the New York Knicks was a major sports headline, has recently revealed a behind-the-scenes story about a trade that almost sent him to the Los Angeles Lakers. In a candid discussion, Anthony disclosed that a deal was in place which would have exchanged him and Nenê for Lakers’ Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum. However, the Nuggets’ coach at the time, George Karl, decided against the trade, preferring not to send Anthony to another Western Conference team.
Impact on the Lakers’ Lineup
The Lakers, coming off consecutive championships in 2009 and 2010, were looking to bolster their roster around Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. Anthony, with an average of 25.2 points per game, and Nenê, known for his efficiency, would have significantly raised the Lakers’ offensive potential. Despite the defensive trade-offs, the Lakers’ offensive lineup with Bryant, Anthony, Gasol, Nenê, and Derek Fisher could have been formidable. Instead, the Lakers’ subsequent season ended in a second-round playoff loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
LeBron James and the Lakers’ Future
In current NBA news, LeBron James has addressed rumors about his happiness with the Lakers. As he approaches free agency, James has stated his satisfaction with the team over the past six years and his hope to remain with the organization. While acknowledging the uncertainty of the future, James has expressed a desire to continue with the Lakers, a team with a storied history and numerous basketball legends.
To read more about Carmelo Anthony’s insights and LeBron James’ future with the Lakers, visit the original source.
