Carmelo Anthony Talks Role with Lakers: 'Whatever We Need to Do, Let's Do It'

The Los Angeles Lakers went through a roster overhaul this offseason, bringing in a host of veteran players hungry to win an NBA championship. One such player is Carmelo Anthony, who is entering his 19th season but has yet to win a ring. In order to get that coveted title, Anthony says he's willing to do whatever is asked of him on a team loaded with veteran talent.

"At this point, man, whatever we need to do, let's do it," Anthony said Friday, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "It ain't ... 'I can't sit,' and, 'Oh, I want to start,' 'I want to come off the bench.' Whatever it is, it is."

That type of buy-in and selflessness will be critical on a roster that also features LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, Trevor Ariza, Rajon Rondo, Dwight Howard and DeAndre Jordan. 

Current lineup projections like the one at ESPN have Anthony coming off the bench at power forward. The 10-time All-Star proved he could be an effective reserve last season with Portland, playing 69 games but starting in only three of them. He averaged 13.4 points per game and shot 40.9 percent from beyond the arc, the highest rate of his career.

There's still a chance that Anthony might work his way into the starting lineup, as head coach Frank Vogel hasn't ruled out the possibility.

"When we spoke before he signed here, I told him that I envisioned a big role on this team," Vogel said Friday, per McMenamin. "I don't know what that's going to look like, whether he's going to start, whether he's going to come off the bench, but that he's going to be a factor for us."

Anthony could get big minutes if the Lakers struggle with injuries or need to rest key players like James down the stretch. His willingness to share the load has been echoed by other newcomers like Westbrook, who told reporters in August his job playing alongside James is to "make his game easy for him." 

If the Lakers can maintain team chemistry and avoid injuries, their deep, experienced roster should make them contenders for the 2022 NBA title.