In "NBA Trade Rumors: Could Carmelo Anthony to the LA Lakers Happen?," Hadarii Jones, featured Lakers columnist for Bleacher Report, argues that if Melo's "championship ambitions are the same as James's, he should give the Lakers a long, hard look before thinking about the big apple."
After all, Jones continues, "If Anthony decided to join the Knicks, he would run the risk of being a perennial doormat to Miami. But if he chose to take his talents to Los Angeles, he could be a part of something which would be every bit as special as the Heat's trio" thanks to the presence of Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol.
That part makes basketball sense -- but compensation and salaries might not. "It's doubtful the Lakers could make a deal for Anthony this season," Jones acknowledges. "But if the chance presents itself, are Lamar Odom, Shannon Brown, Josh Powell and D.J. Mbenga expendable?"
Another possibility: "Maybe the Lakers could subtract Odom from the equation and add Ron Artest, and the two recent Lakers' draft picks to make the deal even more attractive to Denver, who would be entering rebuilding mode if Anthony departed."
None of these deals would make the Nuggets better -- but if Anthony suddenly decides, Jay Cutler-style, that he's dead-set against staying in Denver, the team will have to consider unpleasant options.
But would those prospects include guaranteeing that the Lakers would be beastly for many years to come? Pray the answer to that question is "no."
