Chauncey Billups Has a Theory on Why Carmelo Anthony Isn’t in the NBA at the Moment

Carmelo Anthony with USA Basketball team in 2016
Carmelo Anthony with USA Basketball team in 2016. Photo by Heuler Andrey/AGIF/REX/Shutterstock

Despite the fact that he has 10 All-Star appearances and is considered first-ballot Hall of Famer, Carmelo Anthony isn’t on the NBA roster at the moment. Anthony played his last game in the league back in November and it still remains unclear if NBA teams are prepared to give him a chance for a fresh start.

The 2004 NBA Finals MVP Chauncey Billups, who played with Anthony from 2008 to 2011, seems to have a theory about why Melo isn’t in the NBA right now. 

According to Billups, scoring lots of points always “meant too much” for Anthony, and that is why he was never prepared to take a backup role which would extend his NBA career.

“Scoring 30 meant too much, but I think now you fast forward the tape and the reason why he’s not in the league — because he’s still worthy — is he hasn’t mentally taken that step back to say, ‘OK, I’ll come in and play against back-ups. I’ll try to help the team out. I know I might not be able to close, but I just want to help.’ Well, he’s not there yet.” – said Billups during his recent appearance on SiriusXM’s NBA radio.

Given the fact that he is still only 35 years old, there are lots of teams that would take on Carmelo Anthony if he was willing to be a role player. One such team is Los Angeles Lakers, where he would end up playing with his old friend and USA Basketball teammate LeBron James. According to reports, Lakers are interested in taking Melo but are waiting to fill the rest of their roster to make the official approach.

Anthony played only 10 games last season, averaging 13.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game with the Houston Rockets.