:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67840227/usa_today_14766169.0.jpg)
NBA Free Agent Carmelo Anthony is returning to thePortland Trail Blazers. Portland picked up the veteran star after his hiatus from the league during the 2019-20 season, giving him the chance to resurrect his stalled career. Anthony averaged 15.4 points per game for them in 58 regular-season appearances. Now he’s inking a deal to return him to the team in 2020-21.
Shams Charania of The Athletic broke the news.
Free agent Carmelo Anthony is finalizing a deal to re-sign with the Portland Trail Blazers, sources tell@TheAthleticNBA@Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)November 21, 2020
Anthony wanted to show loyalty to the Trail Blazers, who gave him his opportunity to return to the NBA last season. He understands what to expect in Portland, where he will play a key role on a potential contender.https://t.co/3AiNteh9GN
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)November 21, 2020
So far this season, the Blazers have either traded for or signedRobert Covington, Derrick Jones, Jr.,Rodney Hood, and Enes Kanter. Three of those four players will occupy minutes at Anthony’s favored positions: power forward and small forward. Along with incumbentZach Collins—who spent much of last season injured—Anthony’s teammates will leave far less space for him to play. Presumably signing with the Blazers means accepting a smaller role, likely off the bench.
We will bring contract terms to you when we have them.
Update:
Charania now reports that Anthony is signing a one-year deal.
One-year deal for Carmelo Anthony in Portland, sources said.https://t.co/3AiNteh9GN
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)November 21, 2020
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN has tabbed the deal as minimum level.
Breaking: Carmelo Anthony has agreed to a one-year, minimum deal to return to the Portland Trail Blazers, sources tell@wojespn.pic.twitter.com/wFhZeLhIhq
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter)November 21, 2020