NBA trade rumors work in funny ways, and the rumor that suggests a deal could send Carmelo Anthony to the Lakers is no exception. Reporters desperately want an edge, a new angle, and so all manner of seemingly innocuous detail gets added to the story as the narrative builds. One of those little details as the Carmelo Anthony-Lakers angle made its course? That Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson want Carmelo, and are even mad that management has kept Andrew Bynum off-limits.
Carmelo Anthony To The Lakers Amenable To Phil Jackson (If It Only Costs Derrick Caracter)
At shootaround today, both Bryant and Jackson laughed off the ‘Melo rumors and extolled the virtues of the added size Bynum brings to the table. Jackson, though, did make a concession in terms of his willingness to bring Anthony into the fold, though.
Sadly, the return package Jackson suggests is worse than even what the New York Knicks’ have come up with. From Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles:
“I told Derrick Caracter that if Denver gave us Anthony straight up, then we would trade Derrick Caracter for Anthony,” Jackson said, smiling as he talked about the Lakers’ seldom-used second-round draft pick. “That’s the only trade I want on this basketball club, if that’s one that works out.”
No Devin Ebanks, though, apparently.
How Kobe and Jackson feel about adding ‘Melo will remain a mystery, probably forever. But, if that report was true, there’s something to be said for these guys’ acting ability. If the report wasn’t true? Well, that wouldn’t much of a surprise at all.
See More:
