ESPN is reporting that the Lakers are willing to give up Andrew Bynum in a deal to acquire Carmelo Anthony.
The Lakers’ package would be built around center Andrew Bynum. Denver has no interest in Ron Artest and isn’t particularly interested in Lamar Odom either, sources said. A straight-up deal of Bynum for Anthony works financially, but there could be other players involved since Denver would look to shed more salary if possible.
The Lakers are an interesting landing spot for Carmelo because there’s a chance that he could re-sign there if the team were to play well after his arrival. L.A. is not New York, but it’s a metropolitan city and Anthony’s wife, LaLa Vasquez, could pursue her entertainment career there.
If I’m the Lakers, I do this deal in a New York minute (pun intended). I am not confident that Bynum will ever fully get past his knee issues, which seem more chronic than something he’ll eventually get over. They would lose some size, but Carmelo can play power forward and it would give the Lakers a star to build around once Kobe Bryant finally retires.
For the Nuggets, Bynum is a risk, but if he can get healthy and stay healthy, he’s a potential All-Star and is better than any of the players that the Knicks are currently offering. Like I said, I think he’ll be battling knee issues all his life, but I’m not a doctor and I’m not privy to his medical file. Maybe the Nuggets’ doctors take a look and decide it’s worth the risk. I would have to assume that’s the case if this deal eventually goes through.
I suspect the Lakers are one team that have the Knicks worried. Carmelo could get out to L.A., enjoy playing in the Finals and eventually decide to re-up.
