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Detroit Pistons: 3 reasons to pursue Carmelo Anthony

By Amaar Burton

NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 01: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder stands on the court during the second half of a NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on April 1, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 01: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder stands on the court during the second half of a NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on April 1, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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Carmelo Anthony
(Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Fifteen years after taking a pass on Carmelo Anthony, the Detroit Pistons may soon have another chance to land the future Hall of Fame scorer.

Less than six months ago, Carmelo Anthony made NBA history on the Detroit Pistons‘ home court.

It was Jan. 28 when Anthony, playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder, made a free throw to become the 21st player to score 25,000 points in the league.

Anthony was given a respectful ovation from the Detroit crowd that night to honor his accomplishment, but the moment was also surreal considering that Anthony could have had that moment on that court while wearing a Pistons uniform. Had things gone a bit differently 15 years ago, Anthony’s scoring milestone point would’ve been met with an eruption from a fanbase that had watched him grow up and become a legend for their team.

Back in the 2003 NBA Draft, Anthony was very close to joining the Pistons family. In 2018, they could take another shot at bringing the future Hall of Fame scorer to the Motor City.

On Friday, ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski and Royce Young reported that Anthony is going to part ways with the Thunder this summer, as soon as the team figures out a way to get out from under the $27.9 million salary Anthony is due next season.

Once that piece of business is complete, Anthony could become an unrestricted free agent and sign with another team for as low as the veteran minimum.

For the Pistons, it would make sense to throw their hat in the ring as one of Anthony’s suitors. The team doesn’t have much money left to spend in free agency without hitting the luxury tax threshold, but if they clear up some salary cap space with a trade or two, they could be in a position financially to afford Anthony.

Going into his 16th pro season, Anthony might prefer to play out the remainder of his career on a title contender. Or maybe he’ll want to play alongside one of his friends, either LeBron James in L.A., or Chris Paul in Houston, or Dwyane Wade in Miami. Maybe he’ll want to go back to where he started his career in Denver, or go back to where he grew up and play for the Washington Wizards.

Detroit may not be on Melo’s radar, but here are three reasons why the Pistons should target him.

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