The Portland Trail Blazers agreed to a deal with Carmelo Anthony revealing their plan to start the veteran star from the bench the upcoming season.
Melo talked on the difficult decision to accept a bench role during Portland’s preseason media conference. Anthony said the Blazers let him know that he still is a major part, despite changing role.
(via Sean Highkin of Bleacher Report):
“I had to swallow that pill. We had multiple conversations leading up to me coming back here. It was very honest and transparent from both sides. I was comfortable with the situation. They let me know I will still be a major part,” Anthony said on his new role.
“If I had to sit here and say the thought of [not starting] wasn’t hard, yes it was. But I had to take a deep breath. We’ll figure it out. I’ll make it work. … As long as we’re all on the same page and the production is there, we’ll make it work.”
Anthony signed with Portland last season starting in 58 games for the team. He recorded 15.4 points shooting 38.5% on three-pointers.
The Blazers added two wings this offseason in Robert Covington and Derrick Jones Jr. to help the team on the defensive end.
They also kept Rodney Hood to have an extra offense creator alongside Carmelo, who was the third option behind Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum last season.
