Portland Trail Blazers: A Last Dance in PDX for Melo?
Carmelo Anthony is a free agent. We asked our basketball writers if the Portland Trail should bring back the 38-year-old for a final run this season.
Carmelo Anthony played for the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. He was quite productive during his time in the Rose City. In 127 games, Melo averaged 28.3 minutes, 14.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and shot 40 percent from three-point range. Additionally, he was a positive presence for the young players.
Last season, he decided to sign with Lebron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. It didn’t work out for LAL last year and is once again available on the free agent market. We asked our basketball writers if Portland should consider signing him as a free agent.
Sure
Ed Stein
I liked the way Anthony acclimated to the team in a short period of time. For a guy with a reputation as a “me first” player, Melo bought in that it was Damian Lillard‘s team. Maybe that’s why he and Dame had good chemistry together.
His defense is an issue. But bringing a guy who can come off the bench and provide instant offense is a valuable commodity.
The Portland Trail Blazers will be a young team this year. Someone with Anthony’s cache’ and leadership ability would be a good mentor to the younger Blazers. Adding him is even better if he’s willing to play for the veteran minimum.
Maybe
Chip Clark
I could take him or leave him. He certainly isn’t a “Billups-style” player who plays tough defense. Then again, there is something to be said for bench scoring. It all depends on the bang for the buck.
If Melo can be the guy who shot 39 percent from three-point range over the last three seasons. Or the one who averaged almost 6 boards per 36 minutes in the same time frame, then he can help. But Anthony is far from needed by the Blazers.
No Way
Chris Phillips
Why, he’s way past his prime? This team has a younger player they hope can do what they originally hoped to get with Melo. Portland isn’t a title contender. They’re a fringe playoff team as is.
The Portland Trail Blazers need to give minutes to their young bucks; Nassir Little & Trendon Watford. If Portland wants to give money to a useless player, they can easily reach out to me. I can brick threes, not play defense, rebound poorly, and wear a shooting sleeve and headband, too.
One last point; if you’re an older player and Lebron doesn’t want you on his team anymore, it means you need to retire. See Dwayne Wade.
Teresa Powe
I agree. Portland has too many young players that need the minutes. Maybe he gets a curtain call with the New York Knicks or Denver Nuggets, but definitely not the Portland Trail Blazers. Remember, there’s also Chauncey Billups. Because of Anthony’s lack of defense, I don’t think there’s any way he plays for a Billups-coached team.
Rob Ryan
I’d pass on Melo. At this point in his career, he’s more of a 3-and-D minus the D. The only situation I might consider signing Anthony is if Portland used up a lot of assets in a major trade. The deal left them with a severely depleted bench and need offensive help.