The news has been flying in fast and furious today as LeBron James deciding to re-join the Cleveland Cavaliers has allowed the rest of NBA free agency to kick in.
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Lakers’ target Carmelo Anthony had reportedly crossed the team off his list, but the L.A. Times’ Mike Bresnahan says that isn’t the case:
Lakers have not been told they are out of the running for Carmelo Anthony, according to a source.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) July 11, 2014
Carmelo has remained quiet on his decision, but at this point it still seems that the Lakers are a long shot. Things are now made even more difficult with news that the Lakers have acquired Jeremy Lin.
Adding Lin to the books likely erases the money necessary to give Anthony a max deal. The only way the Lakers could pull that off is if they waived Steve Nash, and used the stretch provision.
It has also been well publicized that Anthony and Lin did not get along too well when they played together with the New York Knicks, so the acquisition could push Anthony farther away from the Lakers.
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The Lakers were supposedly waiting for Anthony to decide before moving to Plan B, and this move would seem to signify the Lakers ready to move on and fill out this roster.
Lakers fans could be in for a whirlwind summer if activity keeps up at the rate its going.
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Jeremy Lin Traded To Lakers