Carmelo Anthony discloses shocking details about the aborted trade deal with the Los Angeles Lakers
In the 2010-2011 NBA season, there were whispers of a potential trade that would have sent Carmelo Anthony from the Denver Nuggets to the Los Angeles Lakers. However, these rumors remained just that, as the deal never materialized.
During this period, the Lakers were actively seeking to strengthen their roster, making trades for players like Lamar Odom and acquiring veterans such as Dwight Howard later in 2012. Yet, Carmelo Anthony remained with the New York Knicks.
The initial deal was not with the Knicks, but with the New Jersey Nets (now Brooklyn Nets). However, the trade fell through, and Anthony continued his career with the Knicks.
The Lakers' pursuit of Anthony was not the only notable trade speculation surrounding the team during this time. The late David Stern, then-NBA commissioner, infamously vetoed a trade between the Lakers and the New Orleans Hornets for a prime Chris Paul.
Despite the unrealized trade, Anthony had a successful stint with the Knicks. He spent six full seasons with the team, earning All-Star honours in all six seasons. During his time with the Knicks, Anthony averaged an impressive 24.7 points, shooting at a 44.3 percent clip and 36.9 percent from beyond the arc. He also contributed 7 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and one steal per game.
After his career, Anthony was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025. This honour came after a 19-year NBA career during which he retired with 28,289 points, 7,808 rebounds, and 3,422 assists.
The unrealized Melo-to-Lakers trade remains a fascinating topic among basketball fans, offering a glimpse into what could have been. The Lakers, however, did not lift the Larry O'Brien trophy until the Covid 19-riddled 2020 bubble season, when LeBron James led the team to championship number 17.
In a recent interview on iHeart's WY Network, Anthony revealed that his close friend Dwyane Wade and former Nuggets teammate Allen Iverson were his HOF induction presenters. Anthony was also the only player on the 2008 USA Men's National Team, also known as the 'Redeem Team', who has three Olympic gold medals to his name.
As we reflect on the unrealized Melo-to-Lakers trade, it serves as a reminder of the what-ifs in sports and the excitement that trade rumors can bring. Yet, it also highlights Anthony's impressive career with the Knicks, a chapter that will always be a part of NBA history.
Trades were prevalent in other sports as well during that period. For instance, F1 saw Fernando Alonso move to Renault in 2010 before returning to Ferrari in 2015. Cricket witnessed Kevin Pietersen's transfer from England to Surrey and later to Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League. Meanwhile, football teams like Manchester United signed Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester City in 2003 and Real Madrid from United in 2009. The mere mention of such potential moves, such as the unsuccessful Melo-to-Lakers trade in NBA, evokes a sense of anticipation among sports enthusiasts. While Anthony's move to the Knicks didn't materialize as expected, his performance for the team was undeniably excellent, securing All-Star honours every season he was with the team. His career numbers speak volumes of his talent, with a retirement tally of 28,289 points, 7,808 rebounds, and 3,422 assists.
