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          The long-awaited reaction to Carmelo Anthony's return to the NBA

          • ESPN.com
          Nov 14, 2019, 09:19 PM ET

          On Thursday night, the Portland Trail Blazers agreed to a deal with Carmelo Anthony, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Anthony last played for the Houston Rockets on Nov. 8, 2018 before parting ways.

          The No. 3 pick of the 2003 NBA draft and Most Outstanding Player of the 2003 Final Four, Anthony has worn both 15 (Syracuse, Denver Nuggets) and 7 (New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets) during his 16-year career, but probably will don a new number in Portland as 15 is retired (Larry Steele) and 7 is being held out of circulation (Brandon Roy).

          Trail Blazers' star Damian Lillard has long had a public desire to play alongside Anthony in Portland but was not optimistic it would happen.

          In 2017, Lillard told The Undefeated's Marc Spears that Anthony "didn't seem opposed" to the idea of playing for the Blazers.

          And once the 2019 free-agency period waned, Lillard advocated for Anthony's place in the NBA yet again.

          Even as recently as two months ago, Lillard did not hold out hope that the Trail Blazers could bring in the 2012-13 scoring champion.

          Well, now he's coming, Dame. And NBA players, current and former, rejoiced in the return of Melo.