Lakers Rumors & News Recap: Carmelo Anthony Not Leaving Knicks

[King Poetic]

http://www.lakersnation.com/lakers-rumors-news-recap-carmelo-anthony-not-leaving-knicks/2013/09/12/

In an interview with Bloomberg Television, Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony states he has no plans of leaving the New York Knicks.

It has been speculated that the Lakers will pursue Anthony and LeBron James in the 2014 off-season (both would have to opt out of their final year of their contract and become unrestricted free agents).

Both players have made no indication that they would be interested in coming to Los Angeles, but the Lakers will have the cap space to pursue both superstars. Although the news that Anthony is not planning to go anywhere can be discouraging for Lakers Nation, only time will tell if the Lakers will be appealing enough to steal Anthony from New York.

With an entire season left to be played, neither player will admit they are considering leaving for another team, but depending on the outcome of the season, that might change as they approach free agency. The Lakers would love to have both, but even one superstar would be great for the organization.

 

[kingofnyc]

been saying from day 1 -dont know why laker nation
is all excited bout all that cap space

no superstar wants to play with kobe

 

[2Quik4UHoes]

Wha? Listen, GOAT franchise is up against bigger issues right now. For instance, have you seen our coach?

 

[G.O.A.T]

Was watching PTI and they brought this up as a topic

Report: Lakers organization does not believe it can land LeBron

In a wide-ranging piece on the future of the Lakers and their hopes for free agency in 2014, with a class featuring LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony among others, ESPN reports on indications from within the Lakers organization that things are bleak:

And let's be honest, for all the excitement about the 2014 draft, in terms of likely impact, it's nothing compared to what the 2014 free-agent class could become. Need I remind you LeBron James can opt out of his contract, as can Chris Bosh and almost every single member of the Miami Heat? Carmelo Anthony could be on the market, along with Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki. The year after that names like Kevin Durant and Paul George become realities.

So ... why all the long faces, Lakers front-office executives?

Why did a source close to Lakers management tell ESPN.com: "Within the organization there isn't a single person that believes we can bring LeBron aboard"?

Why was GM Mitch Kupchak on Colin Cowherd's radio show in the last few weeks saying "I don't know if we'll get a star player?"

The piece goes on to outline reasons why the Lakers will struggle including the new CBA's salary cap implications and Kobe Bryant's attitude towards teammates.

The question usually comes down to "The Lakers' storied history" vs. "modern forces reshaping the league."

The answer may lie somewhere in the middle. The history of the Lakers may not have as much of an impact going forward, after Dwight Howard set a precedent for leaving the organization and the admittedly difficult nature of Bryant. But there's still the fact that living in LA will nearly always be attractive to players on multiple levels. The weather's great, the city's fun if you have money like they do, and there are party and sponsorship opportunities that don't exist elsewhere. LA will always have a built-in advantage.

The Kobe concerns are temporary, as well. Bryant has two, three, maybe four years left at the absolute max. There will be a Lakers future and some star will want that. Whether it will be LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, or someone else, we'll have to wait to see. The bar has gotten higher for the Lakers. It's not as easy as it used to be. But even if they're down now, I wouldn't bet on them being down very long. Natural, inherent advantages aren't eliminated without cataclysm. The Lakers had a rough year, but not enough to change the entire NBA ecosystem.

Anthony said this week he plans to stay in New York, while LeBron is playing it safe, as usual.

 

[TheNig]

I'm sure we will still pursue becuz that's what you do when you have the space we'll have next season and the space the Knicks will have in 2015.

 

[Illuminatos]

Ay real Knicka!

Bron + Melo 2015 LET'S GET IT!