NBA Rumors: Nets Will Sign Carmelo Anthony In 2019 If Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving Get Their Way

As Carmelo Anthony tries to land with an NBA team, the Brooklyn Nets have emerged as maybe his most likely potential destination. According to The Athletic’s Frank Isola, New York City’s best team is interested in possibly signing the veteran for the 2019-2020 season.

It isn’t just the front office that has its eyes on Anthony. Isola reported Thursday that Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are “pushing” the Nets to sign the 10-time All-Star.

SNY reported a few weeks ago that Anthony participated in workouts and scrimmages with members of Brooklyn’s roster this summer in Los Angeles. Irving, Theo Pinson, Caris LeVert, DeAndre Jordan, Taurean Prince, Nicolas Claxton and David Nwaba were reportedly among the Nets that worked out with Anthony.

Durant and Irving both signed with Brooklyn at the start of free agency in July. SNY reported in June that the New York Knicks would’ve been interested in bringing back Anthony if they were able to land the two stars.

Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant could be the keys to Carmelo landing in Brooklyn. (And Wilson Chandler’s uncertain status doesn’t hurt either.) https://t.co/4CUUksuX0A
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) August 29, 2019

Carmelo Anthony will attend the Knicks' informal 5-on-5 scrimmages today in Manhattan, SNY sources confirm. New York has 15 players on guaranteed deals, so one source said not too read too much into Carmelo's presence at the workout, which was first reported by Sports Illustrated
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) August 29, 2019

The report that both Durant and Irving want to play with Anthony comes amid news that Brooklyn will likely have an open roster spot for the start of next season. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that Nets forward Wilson Chandler is facing a 25-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.

It’s no secret that Anthony is hoping to play at least one more year in the NBA. He was released by the Houston Rockets after just 10 games last season and hasn’t been able to find another job since then.

Anthony has played with three different teams over the last three seasons. After averaging more than 20 points per game in each of his first 14 seasons, Anthony saw his scoring average drop to 16.2 points in 2017-2018 and 13.4 points in 2018-2019.

Anthony shot a career-low 40.5 percent from the field last season. Houston went 4-6 in those 10 games.

Anthony averaged 24.7 points per game in his six and a half seasons with the Knicks. New York won one playoff series during that time.