Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant reportedly flew in from Europe to participate in the Lakers' pitch to free agent Carmelo Anthony. While the Lakers want to re-sign veteran Pau Gasol, they appear to have competition: Oklahoma City Thunder stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook reportedly are leading OKC's efforts to sign Gasol in free agency.
Bryant, who has a longstanding friendship with Anthony, made sure to be present to help Lakers management make their free agency pitch.
"Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant flew in late Wednesday night from a European vacation so he could play a key part in the team's pitch to free-agent forward Carmelo Anthony on Thursday, according to sources with knowledge of the situation," ESPN's Ramona Shelburne wrote on Thursday.
Los Angeles has the salary cap space to sign two big-name free agents and reportedly are eying Anthony and LeBron James, whom the Lakers have not yet met.
Shelburne reported Monday, the day before free agency officially began, Bryant had already contacted Anthony and James. Although Bryant has the reputation of a ball-hog, Shelburne said Bryant's pitch included assuring both players he would take on a defensive role and let them be the scorers.
"The Lakers had this idea where they could clear enough [cap] room where they could get [LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony] but then they'd only play for $16 million per year," Shelburne said on the Bill Simmons podcast, via LakerHolicz.com. "I don't think that was ever that realistic. Plus, Kobe [Bryant] was going to have to sell them on [the idea] and say, 'It would be just like the Olympic team where I play defense and you guys be the starts.'
"[Kobe] actually did that. He actually did call both of them and talked to them about it but the sense I get is that neither of them are playing for $16 million each ... I think all of this is just these guys having leverage. I think Melo goes back to New York and LeBron goes back to Miami."
While the Lakers' attention is on Anthony and James, ESPN reported Oklahoma City is the "leading contender" for Gasol; Durant and Westbrook are said to be leading the team's efforts to pitch the veteran Spaniard.
