Last Thursday, the Los Angeles Lakers met with Carmelo Anthony to persuade him to join the franchise. While Kobe Bryant could not make the pitch meeting due to a scheduling change, James Worthy was part of the team that helped the Lakers become the Knicks’ biggest threat.
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In a phone interview with SLAM Magazine, Worthy talked about the pitch meeting which included recruiting his wife, LaLa:
“I told Carmelo, I said, I wish your wife were here because she’s more popular than you in Los Angeles. We’re trying to recruit her, because if you can get LaLa, Carmelo has no say-so. So, we’re trying to get her to Hollywood. Hollywood is right here. She can do whatever she wants.”
In addition, Worthy believes it really is between New York and Los Angeles and the Lakers still have a shot to sign him:
“Carmelo has an open mind. He knows this is a critical decision at this point in his career. He’s 30 years old, so he can’t be shopping around if he wants to win. I think it’ll be New York or L.A. and I think L.A. still has a shot. He lives there in the offseason anyway.”
With conflicting reports in the past 24 hours, Anthony is expected to make his decision today with free agents now able to sign contracts with teams. If the All-Star forward ultimately decides to sign with the Lakers, Pau Gasol is expected to return to the team.
With ample cap room, the Lakers have numerous options available. If Anthony returns to the Knicks or signs with the Bulls, Kobe Bryant is confident about the team’s Plan B. Although the Lakers have lost some role players from last year’s roster, players like Greg Monroe, Lance Stephenson, and Isaiah Thomas are still available.
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