CP3 wants Melo to come to N'awlins

[StartOrien]

Chris Paul has sent word to Carmelo Anthony that their most realistic opportunity to play together will be for the Hornets, according to a source.

New GM Dell Demps has been incredibly active in pursuing trade scenarios, according to multiple sources

My first reaction to this was 'Ya, with what pieces?' But I started to think about "today's NBA" and how easy it would be for Melo to go to Denver officials and say "I'm not resigning with you, I'll only talk contract with New Orleans and New York." That really would force Denver's hand in this, and I think a package of David West, Marcus Thorton and a pick would be much more enticing than anything New York could offer.

Thoughts?

[Change]

Since the West is considerably weaker, it makes more sense if those two teamup & try to pull off an upset over the Lakers. Then have to go through Bulls, Celtics, Heat.....

Lineup:

Cp3
Ariza
Melo
Peja
Okafor


Now we're talking! I like it.

[Fafnir]

I don't see any sort of trade that New Orleans can structure to get Carmello.

It'd have to be a ridiculous 3 or more way trade and the other teams wouldn't be getting much out of it from what I can tell.

[lon3lytoaster]

Had to dig up this gem and post it when I saw "Naw'lins"

[StartOrien]

I don't see any sort of trade that New Orleans can structure to get Carmello.

It'd have to be a ridiculous 3 or more way trade and the other teams wouldn't be getting much out of it from what I can tell.

I can't access trade checker at work, but I'd think that this financially works:

David West, Peja Stojakovic, Marcus Thornton, #1 pick for
Carmelo Anthony, JR Smith

You're probably right though, you'd probably have to get someone else involved looking for a dump w/ Peja's contract, cuz that doesn't seem to be enough for the Nuggets to get back

[Change]

I don't see any sort of trade that New Orleans can structure to get Carmello.

It'd have to be a ridiculous 3 or more way trade and the other teams wouldn't be getting much out of it from what I can tell.

David West (19ppg 7.5 rpg) Marcus Thornton rookie (14.5ppg), That is one solid package with draft picks off course. I'm really high on Marcus Thornton. I think he has the potential to a consistent 20point scorer every night. And West is a beast. Two known commodities.

I doubt Nuggets receives a better package. Or they can go the dumb route and take unproven rookies with 'potential' then the proven guys.

[StartOrien]

Everyone keeps mentioning how they kinda feel bad for Denver. I think in the end, Denver wins on this one. They're in a position now where I think they've somewhat peaked as a team, and they could get some really attractive players back in return.

[xmuscularghandix]

If they need to trade David West to get Carmelo I’d say that it’s not worth it. I think West is overrated but he’s still all they have other than CP3, they need somebody else other than the Moderately-Dynamic-Duo.

[Change]

I don't see any sort of trade that New Orleans can structure to get Carmello.

It'd have to be a ridiculous 3 or more way trade and the other teams wouldn't be getting much out of it from what I can tell.

I can't access trade checker at work, but I'd think that this financially works:

David West, Peja Stojakovic, Marcus Thornton, #1 pick for
Carmelo Anthony, JR Smith

You're probably right though, you'd probably have to get someone else involved looking for a dump w/ Peja's contract, cuz that doesn't seem to be enough for the Nuggets to get back

Just saw that Peja deal is expiring.   Its just got better. The opportunities are endless now to put a solid team together. For some reason, I'm exciting to see what they do.  

[StartOrien]

If they need to trade David West to get Carmelo I’d say that it’s not worth it. I think West is overrated but he’s still all they have other than CP3, they need somebody else other than the Moderately-Dynamic-Duo.

I don't think they really would, thats a pretty good core though they would need to find a 4 somewhow.

CP3
Ariza / JR Smith
Melo / Pondexter
-
Okafor

I'm sure you could package Smith and/or Pondexter for a servicable, ideally defensive power forward.

EDIT: It couldn't be all that difficult to convince David Kahn on JR Smith, right?

[fairweatherfan]

If they need to trade David West to get Carmelo I’d say that it’s not worth it. I think West is overrated but he’s still all they have other than CP3, they need somebody else other than the Moderately-Dynamic-Duo.

I disagree - don't sleep on Ariza, he's a solid outside shooter, a very good defender, and a box-score stuffer.  Okafor is also a very solid though unspectacular big man.  They'll lack some depth and have a big hole at the 4, but that looks like a 2nd round, possibly conference finalist team in the West.

Plus, regardless of what happens this year, the odds of the Hornets keeping Chris Paul go way, way up if they land Melo.  That alone probably makes it worth it for them.

[ToppersBsktball10]

Since the West is considerably weaker, it makes more sense if those two teamup & try to pull off an upset over the Lakers. Then have to go through Bulls, Celtics, Heat.....

Lineup:

Cp3
Ariza
Melo
Peja
Okafor


Now we're talking! I like it.

No way Peja can play the 4.

[Fafnir]

I don't see any sort of trade that New Orleans can structure to get Carmello.

It'd have to be a ridiculous 3 or more way trade and the other teams wouldn't be getting much out of it from what I can tell.

David West (19ppg 7.5 rpg) Marcus Thornton rookie (14.5ppg), That is one solid package with draft picks off course. I'm really high on Marcus Thornton. I think he has the potential to a consistent 20point scorer every night. And West is a beast. Two known commodities.

I doubt Nuggets receives a better package. Or they can go the dumb route and take unproven rookies with 'potential' then the proven guys.

If the Nuggets are trading Carmelo they are looking to rebuild. Marcus Thorton and David West is not a good package for that. Thornton has some promise, but he's not an elite prospect, and David West has been on the decline for years now.

This scenario also doesn't give them the cap relief and high picks they've also demanded.

[Chris]

If they need to trade David West to get Carmelo I’d say that it’s not worth it. I think West is overrated but he’s still all they have other than CP3, they need somebody else other than the Moderately-Dynamic-Duo.

I disagree - don't sleep on Ariza, he's a solid outside shooter, a very good defender, and a box-score stuffer.  Okafor is also a very solid though unspectacular big man.  They'll lack some depth and have a big hole at the 4, but that looks like a 2nd round, possibly conference finalist team in the West.

Plus, regardless of what happens this year, the odds of the Hornets keeping Chris Paul go way, way up if they land Melo.  That alone probably makes it worth it for them.

Well, I am not an Ariza fan (I am not convinced he is a great team player...), but I do agree that this deal would be a no-brainer for NO.  This would all but guarantee CP3's staying for the long haul, and the loss of West is a bit overrated.  They could play Carmelo a lot at PF, and they really wouldn't lose a ton defensively, but gain a lot offensively.  

[Lucky17]

I would think that Denver would ask for Ariza in return, rather than West.

Thornton, Peja, Ariza, and a future 1st for Melo and Smith?

CP3
Smith
Melo
West
Okafor

Not a bad starting 5, but no bench.