The Lakers put the NBA on notice Thursday when they traded a haul for star point guard Russell Westbrook and now are reportedly looking to add another veteran.
The Lakers are "very interested" in signing Carmelo Anthony, per ESPN's Jordan Schultz. Anthony, 37, is set to be an unrestricted free agent this month after spending the last two seasons with the Trail Blazers.
He shot a career high 40.9% from behind the arc last season—his 18th in the NBA—and averaged 13.4 points per game. His longtime relationship with LeBron James is a deal-sweetener as well. The two have never played on the same team, aside from the All-Star Game and Olympics.
Some more rumors from around the NBA, which is set to begin free agency Monday at 6 p.m.
- Serge Ibaka will exercise his $9.7 million player option with the Clippers. (Shams Charania, The Athletic)
- The Rockets are not picking up Avery Bradley's $5.9 million team option and he will become an unrestricted free agent Monday, (Shams Charania, The Athletic)
- Bucks forward Bobby Portis, who played an integral part in their championship run, is declining a $3.8 million player option and will become a free agent (Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN)
- The Mavericks are "leaning toward" picking up the $4.1 million option on center Willie Cauley-Stein .(Tim MacMahon, ESPN)
- Dallas traded wing Josh Richardson to the Celtics for center Moses Brown, (Shams Charania, The Athletic)
