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Los Angeles Lakers: The positive impacts Carmelo could have

By Jason Reed

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 27: Former New York Knicks Carmelo Anthony attends the game between the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on January 27, 2019 in New York City.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 27: Former New York Knicks Carmelo Anthony attends the game between the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on January 27, 2019 in New York City.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. Bench scoring

There are not many things that Carmelo Anthony can still do at a high level. In fact, you could probably make the argument that Anthony does not really do anything at a high level at this point in his career.

The one thing he can still do, at least at the level of a bench player in the NBA, is score the basketball. He might not be the same player as he was 5-10 years ago and definitely has regressed in scoring but he can still score in the right situation.

The Lakers can refine Carmelo and solely use him as a three-point corner specialist off the bench. If Carmelo is willing, which he kind of has to be to get a job, the Lakers can try to up his off-ball skills and get him open off screens for catch and shoot opportunities.

The Lakers have two elite offensive playmaking minds in LeBron James and Lonzo Ball and a dang good backup point guard in Rajon Rondo to help Anthony makes these progressions. Even if it is only three to four shots a game, having a reliable knockdown shooter can make the world of difference.

And for those saying that Melo is so bad that it would not be worth it, well why not? The Los Angeles Lakers have the open roster spot and have nobody to fill it with. There is no point of just leaving it empty when the Lakers can make an extremely small-risk move and bring in Anthony.

It is not like he would be stealing minutes from a quality player either as the bench has been pretty bad in recent weeks.

Next. Why Anthony Davis is the only option this summer. dark

It might not be a lot but Carmelo Anthony does at least bring some positives to the Lakers. Perhaps that is what sways the team to make the move for him.

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