Anthony due to visit the Lakers on Thursday.
Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant has reportedly flown into the city from a European vacation in order help the franchise with their pitch to Carmelo Anthony, ESPN reports.
Bryant has a long history and friendship with Anthony and it is understood that he has been attempting to convince him to move to L.A. for some time ahead of meeting with him on Thursday.
It appears as though the Lakers have now made the New York Knicks star and Miami Heat’s LeBron James their main focus this off-season, but if they are unable to pair the two superstars together then they will likely push for Melo.
The franchise believe that Anthony would compliment Bryant well, while they have also held an early meeting with Pau Gasol in the hope that they can retain the Spaniard amid strong interest from the likes of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Chicago Bulls.
Nevertheless, there are numerous questions with few answers at this early stage of the free agency market, but ultimately many of the high profile names are expected to make their respective decisions early next week.
Along with Bryant, general manager Mitch Kupchak, president Jeanie Buss and executive vice president of player personnel Jim Buss will all attend the meeting with Anthony in a bid to persuade him to leave New York to play for a team that has won 16 NBA titles.
The Knicks are undoubtedly in a strong position from a financial perspective given that they can offer Melo a max contract over five years, while other teams will be limited to less than the max amount over four years.
However, he has insisted that money isn’t the priority at this stage of his career, and after meetings with the Bulls, Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets, he will be deciding on which franchise gives him the best opportunity to win immediately.
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