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Re-Signing Carmelo Anthony is Critical for Portland Trail Blazers

Zach Ciavolella|
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 06: Gary Trent Jr. #2 of the Portland Trail Blazers celebrates a three point basket against the Denver Nuggets with teammates Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers and Carmelo Anthony #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter at Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 06, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 06: Gary Trent Jr. #2 of the Portland Trail Blazers celebrates a three point basket against the Denver Nuggets with teammates Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers and Carmelo Anthony #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter at Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 06, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Re-Signing Carmelo Anthony is critical for the Portland Trail Blazers. The future Hall of Famer has shown himself to be crucial both on and off the court.

Carmelo Anthony has done everything right since he joined the Portland Trail Blazers back in November of 2019. The future Hall of Famer has proved himself invaluable to Portland both on, and off the court in impressive fashion.

Because of this, Carmelo Anthony has shown that he should be one of the top offseason priorities for the Blazers.

Initially signed to the veteran minimum to fill the void created by injuries to Zach Collins and Rodney Hood, Anthony had a revival of sorts with the Blazers this season. He was instrumental in the team’s turn around, and the Blazers would need him to make a late postseason push.

Anthony delivered with his performance in the NBA bubble. Averaging 16.5 points while shooting 47% from three, Melo has looked like the field stretching Forward the Blazers were desperate for.

What’s been arguably more important than his on-court contribution has been the mentality he’s brought (or rather supported) in the locker room.

While he isn’t the first to bring quality leadership to the Blazers, Melo has done well to follow and support Damian Lillard. A voice of confirmation can be huge for a lockerroom, especially from a future Hall of Famer.

As inspirational as Lillard is for this Portland team, Anthony is doing his best to double-down on that leadership. Melo has wholly bought into the Portland Trail Blazers philosophy and that can’t be overvalued.

While he may have a more extensive list of suitors than last year, it would be in Anthony’s best interest as well to stay in Rip City.

He certainly hasn’t forgotten where his career was before this season. To leave this team and environment could have disastrous consequences or Melo’s performance.

The bottom line comes down to this; The Blazers need cheap contributors and Carmelo Anthony would be the best possible solution by far. He adds much-needed spacing, experience, and leadership. All that’s left is for Anthony to be flexible in contract negotiations.

Thankfully for Blazers fan, Anthony has gone as far as to say he wants to retire as a Blazer.

For now, we get to watch Carmelo Anthony and the rest of the team continue their incredible postseason journey. Let’s just hope the offseason doesn’t come anytime soon.