Lakers-Anthony talks on hold

[March 05, 2019]    Playoff chances are sliding off the table for the Los Angeles Lakers, and with that contract talks with free agent Carmelo Anthony are on hold, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Monday.

Carmelo Anthony (USA) of the USA smiles while on the bench during the game. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

The Lakers had been considering signing the 34-year-old Anthony, but four losses in the past five games have pushed them to 10th place in the Western Conference, 4.5 games behind San Antonio for the final playoff spot with 19 to play.

Wojnarowski said both sides are pondering whether it makes sense to add Anthony to a team with dwindling chances to make the playoffs.

According to ESPN's Basketball Power Index, the Lakers' chance of a playoff berth is less than 1 percent.

Anthony, who entered the NBA in 2003, hasn't played since November, when he and the Houston Rockets agreed to part ways after 10 games. He was traded to the Chicago Bulls in January and subsequently waived.

A 10-time All-Star, Anthony has a career average of 24 points per game.

--Field Level Media

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