Phoenix Suns: Free-agent options to scout in Western Conference playoffs

Carmelo Anthony would provide veteran scoring for the Phoenix Suns

Don’t laugh. Carmelo Anthony has some basketball left in the tank. After almost being forced to retire due to no team was willing to sign him, he has flourished as a veteran role player for the Portland Trail Blazers.

What has been impressive to watch about Anthony this season is how he has embraced his role. Some of the trepidation teams had about picking up was the fear he may try (and fail) to play like the superstar he used to be instead of taking a lesser role.

That really hasn’t been the case and moreover, Anthony has excelled in this lesser role. With the Blazers, he has averaged 15.4 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, and while these are a far cry from his numbers from yesteryear, they represent quality contributions.

The Suns, who were the youngest team in the league this season, could use some veteran presence and are always in need of scoring off the bench. Melo could provide exactly that and considering he probably wouldn’t sign for any more than the veteran minimum, would still give the team cap space to sign a bigger star.

Would he come to Phoenix? Who knows. He seems to really like Portland, so I would not be surprised to see him re-sign there, but if he were available, I wouldn’t mind seeing him in the orange and purple.

The Suns signed 39-year-old Jamal Crawford, so a 36-year-old Carmelo isn’t inconceivable.