After years since he last stepped foot on an NBA court, Carmelo Anthony will finally get the chance he’s been waiting for. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Portland Trail Blazers have signed the veteran Anthony. Portland is currently 4-8 and near the bottom of the Western Conference rankings.
Portland is signing Carmelo Anthony, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 15, 2019
Deal is non-guaranteed, per source. https://t.co/9o6mmiXSNN
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 15, 2019
Anthony will join the Blazers on upcoming road trip, per source. Power forward was the position that Blazers were most vulnerable and injury to Zach Collins only amplified void there. ‘Melo comes for a specific role and need.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 15, 2019
As specified by Wojnarowski, the forward position remains a glaring need for the Blazers and such has been the case for years now. While Carmelo Anthony will be a much different version of his usual self, he should still be able to contribute given their lack of depth at the position.
With Zach Collins sidelined due to injury, the need for forwards in Portland became even more relevant. Anthony will finally get his chance to show he’s still a capable contributor after unsuccessful stints with the Houston Rockets and OKC Thunder.
However, fitting in in Portland won’t be an easy task. Anthony must be willing to adapt from a volume-scoring role to chipping in off the bench, an adjustment he wasn’t very willing to make in Houston or OKC. However, maybe being out of the league for a few years has humbled him and he’s ready to contribute in any was possible.
If Anthony does buy into what Portland is trying to do, Anthony could save Portland’s season. The West is tough enough to keep pace in even without a bad start so the Blazers will need to right the ship sooner than later. Hopefully, Anthony provides them that much-needed scoring punch off the bench, but the fit may not be as seamless as some expect.
