Carmelo Anthony Reveals Nearly Traded To Lakers In 2011 Blockbuster

Carmelo Anthony revealed that a 2011 trade sending him and Nenê from the Denver Nuggets to the Los Angeles Lakers for Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum was a done deal before it was ultimately rejected. This deal would have paired Anthony with Kobe Bryant during his prime, potentially extending the Lakers' championship window and creating a formidable 'Big 3' alongside Pau Gasol. Anthony clarified that the New York Knicks were not initially involved, and the eventual trade to New York came only after talks with the New Jersey Nets collapsed. The failed trade dramatically altered the trajectories of multiple franchises: the Lakers missed out on a new star co-player as Bryant aged, while Anthony's Knicks tenure was marked by scoring success but postseason frustrations without a Finals appearance. Anthony later played for the Lakers in the 2021-22 season, his final NBA year, and is set to be honored at the 2025 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. His disclosure sheds light on one of the NBA's significant 'what-if' moments regarding player movement and team dynamics.