4 teams that should jump at chance to sign free agent Carmelo Anthony
Dallas Mavericks C Dwight Powell guards Los Angeles Lakers F Carmelo Anthony (Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)
2. Dallas adds veteran depth for another playoff push
This might sound outlandish, but playing with LeBron James and playing with Luka Doncic isn’t all that different. Two otherworldly passers and elite scorers who use their mere presence on the court to manipulate entire defenses, LeBron and Luka each make the game easier for their teammates. Transitioning from Los Angeles to the Dallas Mavericks wouldn’t be too difficult for Anthony, who could shift from one superstar-led team to another.
Dallas has the makeup of an elite offensive team deep with shooters but ranked middle-of-the-pack in offensive rating, true shooting percentage, and 3-point percentage just a season ago. The front office has already begun to address its concerns by adding Christian Woo, but could use some extra juice from Anthony coming off the bench.
The team ranked 24th in total bench points through the 2021-22 season, which could in part be attributed to injuries, but also reflects on their lackluster depth. Anthony would compete with Davis Bertans and Maxi Kleber for minutes, and though the latter might be tough to pry minutes from, the former has been on a downward spiral for years. Dallas is expected to deploy tall lineups based on personnel next season with Melo fitting the mold.
Anthony isn’t afraid of the biggest moments. He would likely relish the chance to play with this group based on its free-flowing offense and esteem coming off the Western Conference Finals.
!["Carmelo](https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/20/teams-sign-fa-carmelo-anthony/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2209,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fimagn-images%2F2017%2F07%2F18047480.jpeg")
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<p>— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/20/teams-sign-fa-carmelo-anthony/3/"https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1478080632223793152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>January 3, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
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<h2>To this day, Carmelo Anthony can help a championship contender.</h2>
<p>Melo performed admirably for the Los Angeles Lakers, posting a positive on/off differential for a team that finished 16 games under .500. Carmelo scored 13.3 points per game on 57.9% true shooting — the highest percentage of his 19-year career. Per <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/20/teams-sign-fa-carmelo-anthony/3/"https://www.bball-index.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Basketball Index</a>, Anthony ranked in the 90th percentile or higher in 3-point shot making, overall perimeter shooting, transition impact, and post-up impact per 75 possessions last year. These rankings are a reflection of Carmelo’s ability to leave a lasting impact both on and off the ball.</p>
<p>Whether they need an isolation scorer off the bench or an off-ball perimeter threat at the four, lineups across the league would benefit from Anthony’s talent. As we approach the tail end of this summer’s free agency period, Melo could be one of the most crucial last-minute additions.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/20/teams-sign-fa-carmelo-anthony/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Milwaukee Bucks </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-447812" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/20/teams-sign-fa-carmelo-anthony/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F869398216.jpeg" alt="Carmelo Anthony" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/869398216.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/869398216-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Carmelo Anthony and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>1. Carmelo Anthony would rain jumpers in the Milwaukee Bucks’ offense</h2>
<p>Lauded as one of the most well-oiled offenses in basketball, the Milwaukee Bucks couple the overwhelming presence of superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo with head coach Mike Budenholzer’s Spursian ball style through steady ball movement and off-ball fluidity. Players on this team shift in unison to generate high-quality shots, and few shooters could capitalize on that more than Carmelo Anthony.</p>
<p>If playing for five teams in six seasons has caught Melo anything, it’s the importance of remaining active and engaged without the ball in his hands. The veteran marksman has become adept at identifying and rotating to open positions around the perimeter. He’s an opportunistic cutter with the physicality and finesse to finish tough shots, creating looks without the ball sticking in his hands. Melo has also become a more polished passer in the halfcourt now that he’s no longer the star of his own show.</p>
<p>During their lowest points over the last few playoff exits, the Bucks have gotten in trouble by falling into shooting lulls. They are prone to leaning too heavily on Giannis to jumpstart their offense, growing stagnant with their star off the floor. Who better to buy a bucket during times of need than Carmelo Anthony, the ninth-highest scorer in league history?</p>
<p>Although he’s never been an elite defender and is declining with age, Anthony is a competitor at heart who will show effort if it means contending for a championship. Plus, the Bucks have enough defensive talent on the roster to make up for his deficiencies on that end.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/20/teams-sign-fa-carmelo-anthony/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Dallas Mavericks </a>
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<span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Grading all 30 NBA teams on FA signings and trades </a> </div>
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<p>Plus, with the Nuggets’ recent history of injuries, frontcourt insurance in the form of a former superstar wouldn’t hurt.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
