Carmelo Anthony’s NBA career looked like it was coming to an end after he was released by Houston Rockets in 2018 and then spent almost a year without a club. But the 10-time All-Star managed to bounce back with a respectable 2019/20 campaign with Portland Trail Blazers and is now expected to be a target for several NBA title contenders in free agency.
However, if you ask his former head coach from Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Melo shouldn’t entertain other offers. According to Karl, Portland is the best fit for Anthony.
“He fit with the team. And why try to try to figure it out someplace else?”, Karl said during a recent interview with SiriusXM NBA Radio. “When you’ve got a good place, a good team, that’s close to being really good? I would recommend him going back to Portland.”
Carmelo Anthony initially came to Portland as a depth piece but became an important player in the team’s road to playoffs. Melo finished the regular season by averaging 15.4 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
Anthony’s resurgence in Portland and the expanded role resulted from the team’s injury issues. This means that the 36-year-old player can’t expect the same next season, as Zach Collins, Rodney Hood, and Trevor Ariza are all expected to be eyeing his minutes.
It remains to be seen whether Anthony would be willing to accept a reduced role in Portland because he fits there, or he ends up pursuing a roster spot on the team where he would also play less but had a chance to win a ring.
