Could Carmelo Anthony be following his former Los Angeles Lakers teammate Dwight Howard to Taiwan?
The 10-time All-Star is being targeted by the Tainan TSG GhostHawks of Taiwan’s Super Basketball League, head coach Liu Meng-chu told reporters Sunday. According to the English-language news service, Focus Taiwan, team ownership has greenlit a major signing, and Liu claimed during a press conference that negotiations with Anthony’s representatives have already begun.
Anthony’s agent did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for confirmation.
If he does sign in Taiwan, Anthony would become the second Olympic gold medalist to do so in recent weeks, following Howard, who signed with the Taoyuan Leopards of Taiwan’s top division.
‘Taiwan, this is Dwight Howard, AKA ‘Superman,’ he said in a video posted on Facebook. ‘I am so excited and I can’t wait to touch down in Taiwan and start playing for the Taoyuan Leopards.’
Howard and Anthony were actually teammates on a Lakers team last season that won only 33 games amid a wave of injuries for the aging roster.
Carmelo Anthony is being targeted by the Tainan TSG GhostHawks of Taiwan’s Super Basketball League, head coach Liu Meng-chu told reporters Sunday
Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets takes a break during practice for the NBA Games in Asia on October 7, 2009 at the Taiwan Arena in Taipei, Taiwan
Dwight Howard, left, and CEO of Taiwan Taoyuan Leopards Ocean Liu pose for the media during a signing ceremony with Taiwan Taoyuan Leopards in Taipei, Taiwan
Anthony, who has been in and out of the NBA as he’s approached 40, still averaged 13.3 points and 26 minutes a game at age 37. Howard, meanwhile, played a smaller role, averaging career lows in playing time (16.2 minutes a game) , scoring (6.2 points a game), and rebounds (5.9 boards a game).
An NBA title is the only honor that has eluded Anthony, who has won three Olympic gold medals and an NCAA title at Syracuse.
But despite ranking as one of the NBA’s top scorers during successful tenures with the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks, Anthony has never appeared in the league Finals.
Recently his son, Kiyan, received a scholarship offer from his alma mater and former coach, Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim. Kiyan is a 6-foot-5 shooting guard and small forward, who plays for New York powerhouse, Christ the King.
Anthony and his former Orange teammates are approaching the 20th anniversary of the school’s only national championship in men’s basketball. Syracuse is planning to honor the squad at some point in 2023.
Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard share a laugh during their brief time together in LA
Howard tries Taiwanese food during a signing ceremony with Taiwan Taoyuan Leopards
Dwight Howard, center, and CEO of Taiwan Taoyuan Leopards Ocean Liu, second from left, pose for the media during a signing ceremony with Taiwan Taoyuan Leopards in Taipei, Taiwan
Like Howard, Anthony has previously played in Taiwan as part of the NBA’s global games series.
It’s unlikely that he would sign in Taiwan strictly for financial reasons. Anthony earned more than $260 million in NBA salary over 19 seasons, and that does not include money in the form of endorsements.
It’s unlikely that he would sign in Taiwan strictly for financial reasons. Anthony earned more than $260 million in NBA salary over 19 seasons, and that does not include money in the form of endorsements.
Howard, similarly, earned more than $245 million over his NBA career. Terms of his deal in Taiwan have not been disclosed.
‘This is my third time in Taiwan,’ the 36-year-old Howard said in the Facebook video when announcing his decision to sign in the country earlier this month. I haven’t been in so long. I can’t wait to see the fans, eat the food and have the best time ever, and bring a championship to Taoyuan City.
I’ll see you in Taoyuan City. Teammates, can’t wait to meet you guys, staff and everyone, I’m coming with open arms and big hugs and big smiles. I love you.’
Once considered one of the NBA’s best players, Howard’s body broke down over the second half of his career as he failed to match his production with the Orlando Magic. Although he ultimately won his first NBA title as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, he has changed teams 10 times since leaving Orlando in 2012.
He was also snubbed by the NBA on its 75th anniversary team.
‘I was very surprised that I wasn’t put on the list,’ Howard said last week on the Club Shay Shay podcast. ‘When I saw that I wasn’t on the list, I was really upset.
‘I feel like that was just the disrespect, total disrespect.’
Dwight Howard, left, tries a Taiwanese bubble drink during a signing ceremony
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