Carmelo Anthony NBA return rumors continue with the number of teams linked to the 35-year-old scoring forward seemingly growing by the day. After being linked to the Los Angeles Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets recently, a possible destination that entered the fray was Portland.

A move to Portland would have made sense for the Blazers. However, this was if there was no history tied up to it. Apparently, Portland tried to lure Anthony two years ago but the 10-time All-Star ended up joining the Oklahoma City Thunder.

"I tried, two years ago I tried to get 'Melo to come to Portland, and he went to Oklahoma City," Lillard said on The Joe Budden Podcast. "Then after that, I tried to get him to come to Portland again, and he went to Houston. So at this point…"

The scenario now is a whole lot different and Lillard put a lid on that possibility when he said that Anthony was not headed to Portland, ESPN reported. However, the Blazers star guard did say that Melo deserved to be in the league, only that it would not be with the Trail Blazers.

The Blazers were one of the surprise teams last NBA season, making it all the way to the Western Conference Finals. They fell to the Golden State Warriors but their run was something not many were expecting. The 2019-20 NBA season could hold something different for the Blazers, gaining the necessary experience and addition of key personnel they sorely need.

As for Anthony, the wait continues. Time is running out with a new NBA season just around the corner. The Lakers are unlikely to take him in, meaning his best hope right now is the Nets. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant are reportedly pushing the front office to sign him although nothing has progressed. Much of this was covered in a previous post.

Anthony is not alone waiting for a call. Other NBA stars in waiting include J.R. Smith, ironically another one who holds close ties with LeBron James. Both have been idle for quite some time, adding more questions on whether both would be fit to play pro ball for the 2019-20 season. There is still time and if ever they are signed, it would likely be a veteran's minimum and a bench role.

Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony signed a one-year deal with the Houston Rockets. In this picture, Anthony #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder cheers from the bench in the first half during Game Three of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 21, 2018 in Salt Lake City. Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images
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