Credit: Fadeaway World
Carmelo Anthony is an all-time legend, and he will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer when he retires. However, that is unlikely to happen this offseason, as Carmelo Anthony proved that he still has a lot left in the tank. He has thrived in a sixth-man role with the Los Angeles Lakers, even if the team’s season as a whole did not go as planned. This season Carmelo Anthony put up 13.3 PPG, 4.2 RPG, and 1.0 APG off the bench while shooting 37.5% from beyond the arc on 5.8 attempts a game.
At the end of this season, Carmelo Anthony will be a free agent. It remains to be seen where he will sign, but he will likely go to a contending team that can help him get a championship before he retires. In this article, we cover the best possible free agency destinations for Carmelo Anthony.
5. Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks didn’t make it past the 2nd round this year, but one would expect them to be contenders next season if fully healthy. They still have their big three of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday, as well as a solid supporting cast around them. Notably, was reported that they would be re-signing Bobby Portis, who is one of the elite role players in this league.
Carmelo Anthony joining them would give them yet another 3PT threat on the roster, as well as someone who can score off the bench. There is no doubt that he would get a lot of open shots due to the defensive attention that Giannis Antetokounmpo commands. His shot creation ability is also still present, and he would help keep the offense afloat when playing with bench units. This is a solid destination if Carmelo Anthony wants to play a familiar role and contribute to a championship-level team.
4. Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks made a relatively surprising run to the Western Conference Finals this year, upsetting the No. 1 seeded Phoenix Suns on the way. However, their lack of consistent offense showed in their series against the Golden State Warriors, and it is clear that while they’re a good defensive team, they need more scoring next to Luka Doncic.
Carmelo Anthony is no longer a top-tier star-level scorer, but he could definitely help the Dallas Mavericks with their offensive woes. He would also give them another 3PT shooter. While his defense would definitely be of some concern, that weakness can be mitigated by bringing him off the bench as a 6th man. The Dallas Mavericks could be an intriguing destination for Carmelo Anthony as he would get to play on a playoff team, alongside one of the rising superstars in the league.
3. Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns had a great regular season this year, but they faltered in the playoffs, shockingly falling in the second round. It is clear that they need to make some changes to their roster to get back to the NBA Finals, and perhaps adding Carmelo Anthony to their team could help improve their depth.
The Phoenix Suns system is geared towards Carmelo Anthony’s strengths: he would get to shoot spot-up jumpers off of Chris Paul’s playmaking, and play a complementary role on offense. Adding another experienced veteran to a relatively young squad can pay dividends as well, especially one that is as accomplished as Carmelo Anthony.
2. Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets were one of the most disappointing teams of the year. They were viewed as championship contenders at the start of the season but ended up as the only team to get swept in the 2022 playoffs. Things will be different next season, however, as a big three of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Ben Simmons means that they have enough talent to be a top-tier team.
Adding a veteran like Carmelo Anthony would be a luxury for the Brooklyn Nets, and would give them another elite shooter to surround their stars. As for Carmelo Anthony, a healthy Brooklyn Nets team would give him an opportunity to compete for a championship, and play for an experienced veteran squad. He would be able to play solid minutes during the regular season and contribute with his shotmaking off the bench, though it is a possibility that Anthony’s minutes would be reduced in the playoffs due to the options they have in terms of shooting.
1. Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers didn’t make the playoffs this year, but their two stars were unavailable for a majority of the season. With Kawhi Leonard and Paul George back next year, they should be contenders for the title. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George managed to help the team get to their first Western Conference Finals in franchise history during the 2021 playoffs, and they will likely be one of the favorites for the title next season.
Adding Carmelo Anthony to their roster would give the team an experienced veteran, and his shooting will help them continue to be a top-tier 3PT shooting team. While Carmelo Anthony would likely play a smaller role on the Clippers than on other franchises, this could be his best bet to win a championship prior to the end of his career, making it the best destination possible.
