Carmelo Anthony's trainer, Chris Brickley, recently said during an interview that the former number three overall pick is looking to return to the NBA for one final trip, a farewell year.
During the interview, Brickley said, "Melo just want to have a final season, a farewell season, do what D-Wade did. Do the jersey swap. He had a great career, he's a Hall of Famer. So, hopefully that can happen."
Anthony just played ten games with the Houston Rockets last season before the organization finally removed him from the lineup. Some analysts and sports commentator have stated that it was the end of Anthony's time in the NBA. However, based on what his trainer recently said, it would appear that the 10-time All-Star is looking for one final trip.
Portland Trailblazer point guard Damian Lillard was one of the first to acknowledge Anthony's request for a final send-off season with the NBA. Lillard made his points known through a number of tweets, which a handful of his followers have commented on. Some even asked him to ask the Trailblazers to offer Anthony a deal. Nevertheless, there are always factors that prevent teams from doing this sort of aesthetic and promotional tour.
In January, Anthony was traded to the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls waived him just weeks after that. In March, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Los Angeles Lakers have looked into possible signing Anthony. However, they eventually bailed out after the team lost the chance of playing in the playoff.
There are a number of rumors circulating around the league as to why no team will sign Anthony. According to Chauncey Billups, who once played with Anthony on the Denver Nuggets, that no team is apparently interested in signing him as he was not willing to play a lesser role in the team's player rotation.
Some analysts and observers are quite skeptical as to whether NBA teams will heed to Melo's last request. Nevertheless, some people have pointed out that problem with what Brickley is trying to propose. One sports analyst have pointed out that Dwayne Wade got his farewell send-off season since he is considered as a franchise player who helped the Miami Heat to three NBA titles. Additionally, Kobe Bryant is also considered on the same pedestal, which is why the Los Angeles Lakers awarded him with the same send-off season.
From the looks of it, it would appear that Anthony has to have some tricks up his sleeve if he wants to convince an NBA team to give him his last season request.
