FILE — LeBron Jamesof the Los Angeles Lakers moves the ball against Carmelo Anthony of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round on August 29, 2020 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/AFP
Carmelo Anthony is joining close friend LeBron James with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to multiple reports.
Anthony agreed to a one-year deal according to his manager, Bay Frazier, and is set to join a rebuilt roster expected to include Dwight Howard, Trevor Ariza, Wayne Ellington, Kendrick Nunn and Malik Monk.
Monk agreed to a deal with the Lakers on Tuesday, per ESPN, before the team reached a two-year, $10 million deal with Kendrick Nunn.
ESPN reported Nunn, whose qualifying offer from the Miami Heat was rescinded, declined more money elsewhere to join the Lakers.
In addition, restricted free agent Talen Horton-Tucker has agreed to a three-year, $32 million deal to stay with the team according to multiple reports.
Anthony came out of retirement to play a meaningful role with the Portland Trail Blazers the past two seasons. At 37, the 10-time All-Star can still score — and shoot. In 2020-21 he averaged 13.4 points per game and shot over 40 percent from 3-point range for the second time in his 18 NBA seasons.
The Lakers are also in agreement on a trade for Russell Westbrook that can become official on Thursday. In that swap, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Kyle Kuzma would relocate to the Washington Wizards.
Given the massive salary figures for Westbrook, James and Anthony Davis — $120 million combined with Westbrook’s $44 million figure added to the scrolls — general manager Rob Pelinka has been shopping for short-term bargains to round out the roster.
Backup point guard Alex Caruso agreed to join the Chicago Bulls on a four-year deal on Monday.