NBA

LeBron and Carmelo spotted together as Lakers rumors pick up

It’s not the dishes Carmelo Anthony was hoping to experience this year, but it could be a step toward his returning to the court.

Anthony and LeBron James and their wives were spotted on a dinner date Monday night at a New York City steakhouse, as the Lakers were in town to play the Nets on Tuesday.

TMZ Sports obtained footage of James, his wife, Savannah, Anthony and La La together nearly six weeks after Anthony played his last game with the Rockets, who split with the power forward 10 games into his tenure with the team.

In his downtime, Anthony has been releasing his patented Instagram workouts in which he never misses, while rumors sprout of whether he has played his final game in the NBA; Tracy McGrady called for Anthony to retire.

There have been mixed reports about the Lakers’ interest in uniting the longtime friends. The Los Angeles Times reported earlier this month the Lakers have no interest in Anthony. The Athletic reported James wants his buddy on the team, and if that’s what the NBA’s best player wants, that’s what he’ll likely get.

Maybe it was a dinner. Maybe it was an appetizer for what’s to come.