Los Angeles (AFP)

Carmelo Anthony is again an NBA player: the veteran winger, ten times All-Star, has officially signed with Portland, Trail Blazers announced Tuesday after a month of regular season.

"Carmelo is an established star in this league, he will bring through his respected presence in our locker room and by his qualities on the field," said club basketball president Neil Olshey.

The Blazers have not specified the terms of the contract that now ties them to whoever will wear the number 00 on their jersey.

According to The Athletic reporter Shams Charania, the player has committed to "one year unsecured", which means that the club may or may not choose to terminate their contract until early January. Beyond that date, if he is in the roster, he is sure to go to an end.

Aged 35, Anthony has not played in the NBA for a year. At the time, he played with the Houston Rockets, who then sold to Chicago in January, without him playing a game for the Bulls.

"I've always kept an eye on Portland, it could not be done, but today it's a perfect opportunity, Lady (Lillard) and I are talking together regularly." CJ (McCollum) comes to train in my room for four years and I told them: + this is what I can bring to this team, where I can help + It will only work if we see all things in the same way, "reacted Anthony on his Youtube channel .

For Portland, the arrival of the winger-shooter, who accumulates 24 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3 average passes in 16 seasons in Denver, New York, Oklahoma City and Houston, is an additional offensive weapon. On the condition precisely that the distribution of shots between Lillard, McCollum and him is done in good intelligence.

Currently 12th in the very busy Western Conference, the Blazers (5 wins, 9 defeats) quickly need to recover, they who were finalists last season, eliminated by Golden State.

Anthony could play his first minutes this Tuesday night in New Orleans.

© 2019 AFP