Carmelo Anthony may be leaving the Big Apple for the bright lights of Hollywood while LeBron James may join him in taking his talents to Los Angeles as the Lakers have emerged as a contender to land both NBA superstars.
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ESPN reported that the Chicago Bulls remain as a possible landing spot for Anthony, but the Lakers and their hometown rival Clippers have also emerged as possible suitors for him while James will be targeted by most of the teams in the league after opting out of his contract with the Miami Heat.
Anthony, who opted out of his contract with the New York Knicks, owns a house in Los Angeles which would somewhat take away from the struggle of having to uproot his family. The Lakers have been expected to be aggressive in their pursuit of free agents this summer and in the offseason of 2015.
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Anthony has always been known as someone who wants to play in a big market and while it doesn't get much bigger than the bright lights of Madison Square Garden in New York City, the City of Angels can definitely compete as far as big markets are concerned.
The Lakers are looking to make a splash and could make the move despite signing Kobe Bryant to a huge two-year extension. Bryant has been vocal about wanting a sixth NBA championship, and if Los Angeles adds Anthony, James or both, the chances of that happening increase significantly.
Anthony's desire to win one championship matches and could even exceed Bryant's desire for a sixth ring while James would bring a two-time NBA championship pedigree with him to Los Angeles.
ESPN reported that the Lakers were looking to deal their No. 7 pick in Thursday's NBA draft along with Steve Nash's expiring $9.7 million salary in order to offer James and Anthony a $16 million pact for next season.
Anthony is close with Bryant and Anthony and James have expressed a desire to play with one another, but it would take a significant pay cut from both stars for this deal to happen. The Lakers would also have to find someone willing to take on an aging and injury-prone Nash to shed salary. If James signs elsewhere before Anthony, Los Angeles could then offer more money to Anthony to sway him to come out west.
Anthony can make the most money by staying with the Knicks as he can make $129 million over five years to stay in the Empire State while he could make $96 million over four years if he signed with another team out-right. A sign-and-trade for the Knicks remains an option as well.
The Lakers are still in search of a new coach following the resignation of Mike D'Antoni, and are looking to bounce back from a franchise-worst 27-55 record last season where they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2005.
Los Angeles is looking to be aggressive this offseason in order to put this past season behind it, and while Anthony and James are on the radar it will be a tough task to land both stars.
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