Blazers' Carmelo Anthony on Future: 'Time for Me to Go' When I Stop Having Fun

Carmelo Anthony showed he still has something left in the tank last season with the Portland Trail Blazers. After proving his doubters wrong, Anthony says he's motivated to continue playing for the love of the game. 

"If I stop having fun with it, it's time for me to go. I've said that before," Anthony told reporters Wednesday. "Right now, I'm still enjoying the game. I love the game. I feel like I'm back where I need to be at."

Anthony is entering his 18th NBA season, one unlike any other in his past. The 36-year-old will almost certainly spend most of his time coming off the bench, something he tried during an aborted stint with the Houston Rockets in 2018-19 that ultimately ended with him leaving the team after just 10 games.

The 10-time All-Star started all 58 regular-season games and five postseason appearances with the Blazers last season. Portland coach Terry Stotts has said the team plans to move offseason acquisitions Robert Covington and Derrick Jones Jr. into the starting lineup this season.

Anthony told reporters last week that it is a hard pill to swallow knowing he would come off the bench:

"I had to swallow that pill. I had to be really honest and transparent with the team and organization. And also with Dame and CJ. We had multiple conversations leading up to me coming back here. Those conversations were very honest from both sides. I was very comfortable and familiar with this situation, so I would rather do that here knowing this team and the players still respect me from a different level. They let me know I still would be a major part of what happens with this team."

Covington and Jones excel on the defensive end, so it's likely the Blazers view Anthony as their lead scorer off the bench. Odds are that Melo will share the floor with the starters in certain situations as well and could ultimately replace Jones if the former Miami Heat forward struggles in an expanded role.

That said, it's at least promising that Melo has matured enough to take a step back and accurately assess his ability and role at this stage of his career.