LeBron James is catching a lot of strays for his speculated involvement in the Los Angeles Lakers‘ hunt for a head coach. And that’s nothing new as many fans and analysts have always considered him a part of the selection committee wherever he’s been. That’s where one of his best friends comes in. Carmelo Anthony is not one for Bron slander. Throughout the head coach saga, that’s been going on for more than a month, Melo’s been more supportive of his former teammate. Once more, Melo broke down how exactly LeBron James is involved in the Lakers’ decision-making.

“I know it sounds easy when you coaching the best player in the world right?” Melo told the hosts very smoothly calling his friend the best player in the world. “I think I know LeBron in a very good way. I don’t even know if he even like… it’s whatever to him, like, ‘yo like nah, leave me out of it.’ I do believe he’s saying, ‘yo y’all do what y’all gotta do,'” Anthony stated on the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast.

And even if it’s not the outcome James is hoping for, Melo says, “He’ll always give you a chance.” That’s a bold seal of approval from Bron’s friend when everyone else implies the Lakers are pandering to him in managing staff.

The Lakers fired Darvin Ham after their early playoff exit following days of rumored strife between the coach and the veteran players of the team, aka Bron and Anthony Davis. One of the immediate candidates to replace Ham was said to be JJ Redick who is currently co-hosting a podcast with James. Redick has no experience beyond youth coaching, though he was known for his efficiently designed workouts as an NBA pro. Rumor has it that James is pushing the team to hire Redick.

Among other experienced NBA assistant coaches, a new name popped up recently. Dan Hurley has won back-to-back NCAA championships in 2023 and 2024 as the head coach of the UConn Huskies. He’d been looking as a strong candidate as of last week before he decided to stay at UConn. James was reportedly not involved in any discussion with Hurley. But if Melo is right, James will take his chances with Hurley.

Carmelo Anthony has faith in LeBron’s pick

On the same podcast last month, Melo was one of the few who saw Head Coach Redick working for LA. “It’s almost the Steve Kerr path…” he said referring to the Bulls champion who led the Warriors to championships without prior coaching experience.

Moreover, he sees a better chemistry between Redick as a coach and the team’s star player. “Because I know the mind of [LeBron James], and if you got a mind on the intellectual standard, we gonna get along.”

But apart from the King factor, Melo also sees Redick bringing that energy to the LakeShow that it’s missing right now. He commended Redick’s basketball IQ which is perhaps the only thing going for him in the Lakers head coach race. If LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony’s fave secures the Lakers’ job remains to be seen.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video.