Sunday, 6 July 2014
The Los Angeles Lakers emerged Saturday as a real player to land coveted free agent Carmelo Anthony.
According to multiple reports, the Lakers are now in serious contention with the Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks to land the perennial All-Star. Those two teams were previously considered the most likely landing spots for Anthony.
A meeting with the Lakers went well Thursday, the reports indicated. The Lakers offered a max four-year, $97 million contract without having to make a roster move.
Anthony's free-agent tour this week included stops in Chicago, Houston, Dallas and Los Angeles. He also met with Knicks president Phil Jackson in Los Angeles after talking with the Bulls, Rockets and Mavericks.
On Friday, Anthony was reported to be leaning toward remaining with the Knicks, who are able to offer a five-year, $129 million contract. No other team is able to match that deal. According to reports, the top offer the Bulls could make while retaining forward Taj Gibson is $72.6 million for four years.
Anthony is expected to make a decision by Monday.
