Report: Lakers pausing Melo talks unless team turns season around
The Los Angeles Lakers are putting contract talks with free-agent forward Carmelo Anthony on hold unless they become playoff contenders again, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Lakers sit 10th in the Western Conference standings and 4 1/2 games behind the San Antonio Spurs for the eighth seed with 19 games remaining.
The Lakers' season took a turn after LeBron James suffered a groin injury during a Christmas Day contest against the Golden State Warriors. The four-time MVP missed 18 games, with Los Angeles winning just six times during that stretch.
Anthony began his season with the Houston Rockets before being shut down after 10 games due to on-court chemistry issues. He was eventually shipped to the Chicago Bulls on Jan. 22.
L.A. emerged as a landing spot for Anthony after the Bulls waived the 10-time All-Star on Feb. 1.
The 34-year-old averaged 13.4 points and 5.4 rebounds in his short time in Houston.