Except he won't.
"A person who was in the Lakers' pitch said they thought it went 'really well' and added, 'I don't know how big of a shot we have, but I think we have a shot,'" reported ESPN.com's Dave McMenamin and Ramona Shelburne after the meeting drew to a close, allowing optimism to pervade the discussion.
If you'd like to reference Dumb and Dumber now, feel free to do exactly that.
Yes, there's a chance. No, there's not a realistic one, even in the wake of Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reporting that the Lakers have moved back into contention:
They still shouldn't be the ultimate destination. Not if Melo is operating rationally and doing what's in his best interest.
If you're a Lakers fan, do what you can to repress the optimism you feel swelling up about the possibility of Melo joining forces with Kobe Bryant for the next few years. It's a feeling better saved for other free agents.
The Lakers' Pitch
In three words—money and prestige.
Only a few teams have the financial means necessary to offer Anthony a max contract, but fewer still are willing and able to do so. His lack of success in the postseason, as well as his proclivities for lackluster defense and ball-stopping play, makes the max a questionable offer.
Not for the Lakers, though. According to Shelburne, general manager Mitch Kupchak is willing to hand Anthony as much money as possible:
That's half the appeal.
After all, it's tough to beat that payday, even if there's been no indication that Melo would only accept a max offer. Money does matter, especially when it's accom...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
