LeBron James is catching a lot of strays for his speculated involvement in the Lakers‘ hunt for a coach. That’s when his best friend and biggest defender comes in. Carmelo Anthony is not one for Bron slander. Throughout the head coach saga, he’s been more supportive of James after retiring after last playing with him and retiring as a Laker. Once more, on 7Pm in Brooklyn podcast, 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.’” 

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.

They fired Darvin Ham after the Lakers’ 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 experiencing 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’s been looking as a strong candidate as of last week. James is reportedly not involved in any discussion with Hurley. But if Melo is right, James will take his chances with Hurley.

Melo has faith in Bron’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 a 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 brining 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 James and Anthony’s fave secures the Lakers job remains to be seen.