Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant expressed willingness to play alongside Carmelo Anthony, who is expected to make his free agency decision anytime soon.
In an interview with ESPN Los Angeles, Bryant reiterated again that he believes he can co-exist with Anthony, who averaged 27.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per game with the New York Knicks last season.
"I would love to play with him," Bryant said of Anthony. "We've really clicked since 2008, and I would love to see him out here."
The 30-year-old forward sat down with Lakers' top executives last week and talked about the possibility of moving to Los Angeles this summer. Sources indicated that the Lakers offered a maximum four-year, $96 million contract to the All-Star forward.
Rich Paul, Anthony's agent, said that no decision has been made, but most executives are convinced that the 11-year veteran will eventually decide to return to the Knicks, who made a five-year offer worth $129 million.
And if the Lakers fail to sign Anthony and their other targets this summer, Bryant said that he will still be proud of his team for making the necessary moves in trying to make the team a contender again next season.
"The organization, if God forbid we end up with absolutely nothing, it's not for a lack of effort," Bryant said. "So, that's something that I would be extremely proud of. You put forth the effort, you give it your best shot, but you can't [close the deal], what can you do? You just go from there, and then it's on me to go out there and do my best to try to help us win."
And as for their next coach, Bryant, who previously said that he might call it quits after two more seasons, expressed support to Byron Scott, who is reportedly the leading candidate for the Lakers' coaching vacancy.
"He was my rookie mentor when I first came into the league," Bryant said of Scott. "So I had to do things like get his doughnuts and run errands for him and things like that. We've had a tremendously close relationship throughout the years. So, obviously I know him extremely well. He knows me extremely well."
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