Carmelo Anthony, recently inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, revealed a stunning “what if” moment from his career: he was nearly traded to the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2010-11 NBA season, a move that would have paired him with Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol shortly after their 2010 championship. Anthony shared this story during a candid conversation with Dwyane Wade on an iHeartRadio podcast, shedding light on a trade that was all but done—until it suddenly fell apart.
“The deal was done with the Lakers,” Anthony recalled. “Me and Nenê for Lamar Odom and [Andrew] Bynum. That deal was done. I never thought about New York.” Wade expressed disbelief, to which Anthony added, “When they turned that deal down… now it’s like y’all don’t want me in the West. You’re gonna send me to the East—get me to New York.”
The Nuggets initially planned to send Anthony west, but once the Lakers declined, they pivoted toward an Eastern destination. In fact, the Knicks weren’t the original Eastern suitors; Anthony revealed, “The deal was never with New York, the deal was with the New Jersey Nets.” Nuggets coach George Karl had eyes on Utah’s Derrick Favors as a future cornerstone, hoping he could become the “next Nenê.”
Instead of joining the Lakers, Anthony was ultimately traded to the New York Knicks in February 2011 in a blockbuster deal involving Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, and a future first-round pick. While the Knicks also acquired players like Chauncey Billups and Renaldo Balkman, Anthony’s time in New York was marked by flashes of brilliance but no deep playoff runs.
A Missed Lakers Core of Bryant, Gasol, and Anthony
Support Our LA Firefighters In Style
Had the trade gone through, the Lakers would have formed a formidable trio: Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Carmelo Anthony. Bryant was still in his prime, coming off back-to-back championships, and Anthony’s prolific scoring and shooting would have added a devastating new dimension to the team’s offense. This core could have prolonged the Lakers’ reign in the Western Conference and possibly elevated both Bryant’s and Anthony’s legacies.
Instead, the Lakers gradually declined as Bryant aged and competition increased, not returning to the NBA Finals until 2020. Meanwhile, Anthony never reached the Finals in his 19-year career, despite being a 10-time All-Star and one of the NBA’s most prolific scorers. His Hall of Fame induction this year is a testament to his impact on the game, but the absence of a championship remains a glaring “what if.”
Anthony’s Later Lakers Stint and Legacy
Interestingly, Anthony eventually joined the Lakers late in his career during the 2021-22 season—his final NBA year—averaging 13.3 points and 4.2 rebounds over 69 games. Though no longer the superstar he once was, this stint was a full-circle moment.
Anthony will be enshrined in the Hall of Fame in September 2025, with Dwyane Wade and Allen Iverson serving as his presenters—reflecting the friendships and respect he cultivated over his career. He’ll also be the cover athlete for the NBA 2K26 Superstar Edition, further cementing his place among basketball’s greats.
Reflecting on the Lakers Trade That Almost Was
Looking back, the near trade to the Lakers stands out as one of the NBA’s most intriguing missed opportunities. Anthony’s scoring prowess alongside Bryant’s championship pedigree could have reshaped the league’s balance of power during a competitive era in the West. The Nuggets, Lakers, and Anthony himself came tantalizingly close to rewriting NBA history.
As Anthony said, “That deal was done… I never thought about New York.” The path instead led to Madison Square Garden, where Anthony became an iconic figure but without the ultimate prize. For Lakers fans and NBA historians, the question lingers: how different might history have been if Melo had donned the purple and gold at the peak of his powers?