S
Since 2003, LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers has put together one of the most successful careers in NBA history. Now about to enter his 23rd season in the league, James looks to be closer to his way out than at any other point since joining the NBA.
According to James’ friend and the newest inductee into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Carmelo Anthony made his thoughts clear about his potential retirement.
“That’s my brother,” Anthony said on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. “We talk about being around, being together, being tied, being connected, being talked about since we were 17, 18 years old. And for me to be entering the Hall of Fame, and for him, hopefully get his [expletive] up out of there and come on over [to] this side. [laughs] Enough is enough. Give it a break.”
James picked up his $52.6 million player option with the Lakers for next season, but is not under contract after 2026. He and Anthony played together on the Lakers in the 2021-22 season, his last year in the NBA.
Carmelo Anthony On LeBron James
Anthony and James have known each other for multiple decades, before both were drafted into the NBA in 2003 and before both of their Hall of Fame-level careers. Anthony will enter the Hall in early September, but while James is still in the league, he will have to wait at least three years after he retires before receiving the honor.
But while Anthony has been on a media tour before his induction, the 10th-highest-scoring player in NBA history gave praise to his friend and former teammate, James. Anthony said his career has been ‘unbelievable’ considering both the accolades and longevity from James.
“He’s still going, man, it’s unbelievable,” Anthony said when asked about his friendship with James.
Speaking on Podcast P with Paul George last summer, Anthony addressed the question of whether he ever had the chance to play with James. He said he was offered the chance to join James on the Miami Heat with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, but he swiftly denied the opportunity.
“Imagine me at 23 years old, 24 years old, being the fourth option on the team when I’m leading my team every single year,” Anthony said. “Like, I’m finding my way in this league. And you want me to leave that and go be a fourth option? I don’t know how mentally I was going to do that…I can’t be that fourth.”
James and Anthony have had a close relationship since before either was in the NBA, and they did end up playing together in Anthony’s final season in the league. While he has been retired for the past three years, James has continued steadily in his career, though it might be coming closer to the finish line as next season approaches.
Carmelo’s Hall Of Fame Career
Anthony will join Dwight Howard, Billy Donovan, Sue Bird, Maya Moore, and Sylvia Fowles as the other notable 2026 inductees into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Speaking with Colbert, Anthony said he never imagined he would ever receive the honor.
“This is a dream, actually, that comes true in this moment,” Anthony added. “The timing of it all, it feels very divine for myself and the energy that surrounds me. But to answer your question, no, I never thought I would be in the Hall of Fame.”
His 28,289 points are the 10th most all-time, and he is one of the most successful international basketball players with his success for Team USA at the Olympics. But besides his scoring, Anthony’s versatility and mindset were some of the ways he separated himself from the other top players in the 2000s and 2010s.
Speaking with Dave McMenamin of ESPN, former Lakers champion Paul Gasol highlighted why Anthony deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.
“There’s something to be said for, ‘OK, I’m going to lead a group on my own,'” Gasol said. “Obviously first in Denver and they had good teams, there were just better teams at the time. And same thing with New York — where it takes a certain level of ambition and confidence to be able to do that. I’m going to go to the Knicks and I’m going to try to revive and put that franchise at the top again after years of struggle.’
Gasol also said there was a potential Anthony to the Lakers move before he was eventually traded to the New York Knicks in 2011. Regardless, Anthony did end up playing with James on the Lakers to cap off his Hall of Fame career.
Carmelo Anthony Addresses LeBron James Retirement Rumors