With rumors of Carmelo Anthony going to the Boston Celtics starting to die down, there is one NBA analyst and former player who believes the move would be great for both sides: Kendrick Perkins.
Perkins recently did a video segment with Brandon Robinson from Bally Sports, saying the 19-year veteran would help the Celtics have consistent scoring off the bench.
Kendrick Perkins on why the Celtics should sign Carmelo Anthony:
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 15, 2022
“He’s still a bucket… You’re asking him to come in and give you 12-15 points consistently every night. Melo’s doing that in his sleep!”
(via @scoopb, https://t.co/TAuSRM7JIm) pic.twitter.com/R8XHAyupCP
It would be safe to say Perkins is right about the offensive production Anthony brings to the table. Last season with the Los Angeles Lakers, he averaged 13.3 points and 4.2 rebounds on 44.1 percent shooting from the field and 37.5 percent from beyond the arc. The two years prior to his time teaming with LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook in L.A., Melo rebuilt his value as a member of the Portland Trail Blazers, transitioning from a starter to a reserve in the 2020-21. His Portland stint single-handedly restored faith in Anthony that had been lost after a down year in OKC and a disastrous short-stay with the Houston Rockets.
Following the unfortunate announcement that forward Danilo Gallinari tore his left ACL and will be out for at least most of the 2022-23 season, the Boston Celtics have responded by signing Jake Layman, Justin Jackson, and Denzel Valentine to training camp deals to make up for his loss.
By adding Anthony, Boston would have a player who is still productive at the offensive end even at the age of 38. Not only that, he could put up similar stats at a close efficiency to Gallinari’s, making him a great replacement, statistically speaking.
If Anthony fits perfectly into the Celtics’ gameplay, he would play a key bench role helping the team make a run to the NBA Finals. Should he decide to retire after the season, it would be a great way to end his career by winning a ring in Beantown.