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The Los Angeles Lakers meeting with Carmelo Anthony is over, but their pitch to the superstar free agent isn't quite done yet. Anthony met with Lakers officials Thursday afternoon for a total of two-and-a-half hours, soaking in the purple and golden pitch for his future. Anthony is expected to meet with Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks following his meeting with the Lakers, but Kobe Bryant will meet with Anthony afterward, according to multiple reports.
Bryant anticipated attending the meeting with Anthony but couldn't reach Los Angeles in time. He was on flight back to Los Angeles after breaking away from a family vacation in Greece. The two have been in contact for weeks, however, and Bryant informed Anthony he would not make it back to Los Angeles prior to the meeting.
Both Jeanie and Jim Buss attended the meeting, along with Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, James Worthy, and AEG and Time Warner executives. Jeanie Buss was not part of the Lakers' pitch to Howard. Joel Silver, famed Hollywood producer, also played a part in the Lakers' pitch. He offered up a short film featuring Anthony and discussed the "industry." The film on Anthony's life was narrated by Tobey Maguire, according to the Los Angeles Times' Mike Bresnahan.
Free Agency
Sources indicate Anthony will spend the weekend considering his options after a flurry of meeting with teams across the NBA. Anthony met with the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, and concludes his tour Thursday with the Lakers, Knicks and Bryant all making their final push.
A new wrinkle in Anthony's free agency, centered around Los Angeles, has also sprung up. Anthony has been interested in speaking with Lakers' free agent big man Pau Gasol about playing together in New York, according to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski. The Knicks made an out-of-nowhere trade that sent Tyson Chandler back to the Dallas Mavericks, and Gasol would be a natural fit at center under Jackson and rookie head coach Derek Fisher as the franchise shifts to the triangle offense.
Coincidentally, the Lakers are also one of the many teams expected to make a push for Gasol, especially if they are able to sign Anthony.
No news for now, but Anthony is said to want his decision to come as early as the second week of July.