Melo: Pistons 'promised' to pick me No. 2 in 2003 draft

The Detroit Pistons were apparently set on drafting Carmelo Anthony before ultimately selecting Darko Milicic in 2003.

During an appearance on the "All the Smoke" podcast with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, Anthony revealed the Pistons led him to believe they would take him No. 2 overall right up until draft day.

"To this day, I still think about that ... 'cause I'm like, they promised me," he said. "You know what I'm saying? 'Yo, we taking you. We taking you.' I'm talking about all the way up to draft day, you understand? 'We taking you.' So, in my mind, I'm like, 'I'm going to Detroit.'"

The Pistons went on to win a championship in 2004, but Milicic proved to be a bust and was traded after two-and-a-half seasons in Detroit. Anthony, who was drafted No. 3 overall by the Denver Nuggets, believes the Pistons would've won another title had they picked him.

"Honestly, if I'm there, I think they win another one," he said. "I think we go back-to-back if I'm there."

Anthony is entering his 19th NBA season and first with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he'll team up with friend and fellow 2003 draftee LeBron James in hopes of winning his first championship.