Are Damian Lillard and Carmelo Anthony Joining the King in LA?

• Rumors are swirling that Damian Lillard could join LeBron James in LA
• Will Carmelo Anthony change his career arc by joining a contender? 
• Can Damian Lillard push the Lakers past the Warriors? 

The NBA has officially become the league that never sleeps thanks to its ridiculous 24/7 news cycle. No matter the time of day, there’s always something to capture the imagination of fans worldwide. The latest bit of scintillating gossip involves none other than the Lakers.

While talks continue between Los Angeles and San Antonio for Kawhi Leonard, Lakers brass may be stirring the pot in other circles, and potentially planning to pounce on others.

First, the stirring: Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard’s Twitter account became the subject of mass scrutiny when he responded to a question about being acquired by the Lakers like this:

I’m typically a happy camper https://t.co/LvFoTwlEFW

— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) July 4, 2018

A venture deeper into his timeline, and you’ll see that, this could be a little unsettling, if you’re a Blazers fan:

Careful what they wish for https://t.co/yI55sbA9Ch

— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) June 13, 2018

Could he be on the move? Perhaps. And Lillard would look awfully good in purple and gold.

Built in the mode of the last great James sidekick Kyrie Irving, he’s an explosive scorer and playmaker, who would thrive with the mere presence of James on the floor.

Irving’s Best Season with LeBron James vs Lillard’s Best Season

Last season, Lillard was fourth in the NBA in scoring and tenth in assists. He also shot it better than 36% from deep on over eight attempts per content and was clutch at the stripe, where he shot 91.6%.

The numbers are nice, but more importantly, the guy is not afraid of the spotlight in big moments. Dame Time, it’s a real thing.

Big Game Dame: Clutch shots and Damian Lillard go hand in hand. pic.twitter.com/rOjvPxkuVc

— NBA History (@NBAHistory) November 3, 2017

Combining Lillard, who was top-ten in fourth quarter scoring (6.6 ppg) with James, last season’s leading scorer in the fourth (and third in average at 7.5 ppg) would give the Lakers a puncher’s chance against anyone.

What Team Will Damian Lillard Be On?

What will Damian Lillard do?

And maybe now the pouncing. The latest news came down Friday from ESPN: The OKC Thunder, they of the massive payroll and unprecedented tax bill looming, announced they are parting ways with Carmelo Anthony.

Anthony had opted-in to his $27.9 million contract, but his reps and the Thunder are working on a way to end the association, whether through trade, the NBA’s stretch provision, or a combined buyout and stretch.

Suddenly, one of the top-20 scorers in NBA history is available, and how many teams can use a go-to scorer who’s automatic in the mid-range and can punish smaller defenders on the block?

Carmelo Anthony New Team Odds

It’s also a show-me season for Anthony, who looked washed-up in OKC. He scored just 16.2 points a game, along with 5.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists, hitting just 40.4% from the field, and a more respectable 35.7% from beyond the arc.

If you’re Magic Johnson, this would be a tremendous value-add to the Lakers.

At this stage in his career, Anthony should be able to anchor a second unit, if he’s given the right pieces around him.

At this stage in his career, Anthony should be able to anchor a second unit, if he’s given the right pieces around him. Depending on the match-up and if he’s got it cooking, there’s potential seeing him in closing lineups.

It’s an opportunity he didn’t have in OKC, where he was essentially left to fend for himself, most times as a catch-and-shoot guy waiting for Russell Westbrook leftovers in the corner.

Carmelo Anthony Stat Projections

Does a Lillard-LeBron-Melo trio compete in the West? Yes.

Throw Kawhi Leonard or any other superstar into that mix, with whatever leftover youngsters and veteran pick-ups join them? You’re looking at a contender. The only question is, who is that missing superstar?

Next Superstar to Join LeBron James