Houston Rockets: LeBron James is still campaigning for Carmelo Anthony

Houston Rockets forward Carmelo Anthony, who technically is still under contract, has continued to be wooed by LeBron James. What’s going on? Let’s look.

The Houston Rockets have not yet decided what to do with Carmelo Anthony, who’s still under contract with the team on a one-year, $2.7 million deal. The Dec. 15 red-letter date has passed which allows teams to trade player that were acquired within the same season.

With no word coming out of 1510 Polk just yet, this certainly means that the Houston Rockets did not have a pact to make as soon as the flood gates opened for business. In fact, it’s quite the contrary, there has been little rush for Melo’s services but Daryl Morey is going to continue to hold onto him in hopes that he can get a deal done.

Melo could be part of a larger trade package to get someone that can help this soar to the heights that they achieved back in the 2017-18 season, where the team won a franchise-record 65 games along with being one game — and Chris Paul hamstring injury — away from the NBA Finals.

Despite our frustration with not being able to find a suitable home for Melo, LeBron James has been actively campaigning for Anthony to join the Los Angeles Lakers. The rumors were hot and heavy on this notion but this is the first time that I’ve heard of that he’s publicly made comments about wanting to play with the 10-time All-Star and three-gold medal Olympian.

Here’s what LeBron told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin after last night’s stunning 115-110 loss to the surging Brooklyn Nets:

"“I don’t run the team and obviously there’s some things that need to be worked out on both sides,” he said. “But I’ve always wanted to play along Melo and if the opportunity presents itself, it would be great. So we’ll see what happens.”"

As a die-hard, devoted fan of the game itself to which I’ve practiced, played and studied, I’d love to see this happen. It would be a perfect send-off for Melo as he rides off into the sunset and he could be the guy to help the Lakers get past some of their more befuddled losses of this season.

But there’s a part of me that doesn’t want this to happen because the Houston Rockets are in

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direct competition with the Lakers for a playoff spot, even though our team would be on the outside looking-in if the postseason started today.

Ultimately, the Lakers are already a solid team with LeBron in the fold and his supporting cast but I think Melo would enhance them even more and do think he and the King would get along as he’s considered a friend of his and have a long history together.

I proposed last month a trade that could get Melo to the Lakers but it’s apparent that Lakers’ front office is not interested in signing him.

I do believe teams are waiting for Morey to waive the white flag and release him from the roster but I know he hasn’t given up in putting him in a package to improve this team and get them back in the conversation as one of the best teams in the Western Conference.

We’ll have to see how this pans out but among the grand scheme of things, I do believe Melo will have to be officially cut from the team but stranger things have happened, like off season acquisition Brandon Knight actually being healthy on this roster.

Next. Three reasons why the Rockets have reached a turning point. dark

Let’s see how the dust settles within this notion and if LeBron gets what he wants, to which he usually does.

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