Contest: Looks like Melo is headed out of Denver. Whats the deal? (Merged)

[indeedproceed]

Now, trading Troy Murphy's expiring along with picks for Igouadala...that smells about right.

[Who]

I'd like to see Atlanta try to get in on these Carmelo Anthony sweepstakes.

(1) Josh Smith and filler (Zaza?) for Carmelo Anthony
(2) Josh Smith and Jamal Crawford for Carmelo Anthony and Ty Lawson
(3) Josh Smith, Jamal Crawford and Mike Bibby for Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups
(4) Josh Smith, Jamal Crawford and filler for Carmelo Anthony and Nene

Not sure if Carmelo would sanction a move to Atlanta but the idea of building around a core of Carmelo, Horford and JJ could be very interesting. It might be enough to sway him.

Then trade Marvin Williams to someone for a defensive minded big man. Maybe Orlando for Gortat and move Horford to the four. Or maybe Marvin and Zaza (maybe a first rounder and/or Teague too) for Gortat and Bass, give ORL a backup center. A nice three player big man rotation of Horford, Gortat and Bass. That would give them a hugely impressive foundation along with Carmelo and JJ.

[PosImpos]

Now, trading Troy Murphy's expiring along with picks for Igouadala...that smells about right.

That's the sort of thing the Nets ought to do.  Get a player they can actually hope to hold onto.  Though a team of Devin Harris, Iggy, and Lopez is still a superstar away from being a real threat to anybody.

[indeedproceed]

A team of Harris/Iggy/Favors/Lopez only needs Favors or Lopez to mature into a superstar to be a real threat. By real threat I mean about where Utah is now.

[StartOrien]

Now, trading Troy Murphy's expiring along with picks for Igouadala...that smells about right.

That's the sort of thing the Nets ought to do.  Get a player they can actually hope to hold onto.  Though a team of Devin Harris, Iggy, and Lopez is still a superstar away from being a real threat to anybody.

I still think the Nets have a legitimate chance of acquiring and keeping Carmelo Anthony. I'd guess chances of landing are 65% Knicks, 33% Nets, 2% Clippers.

I think if the Nets ended up w/ Igoudala they could be looking at becoming a serious threat. I'd project them above where the Jazz are at now, but I'll admit to having higher expectations of Favors than most.

[Brendan]

The Nets have a lot to offer... will the Russian make a gamble that getting Melo, and offering a max extension plus an aggressive push is enough to keep him?

Lopez and Favors can develop into a nice combination of O&D in the front court. Harris is playing well and can be a good player to pair with Melo. Sasha can be marketed as a championship caliber role player at least.

How could would a Lopez, Favors, Melo, Murrow, Harris starting lineup be? I guess they'd have Outlaw at F, Sasha at wing, and Farmar at PG off the bench - which is small, but add in a good backup C and its functional.

[Brendan]

Probably by airplane

Hahaha... TP.

[Brendan]

Had to be started, here's what I got:

New Jersey Nets Send: Derrick Favors, Troy Murphy, 2 first round picks
New Jersey Nets Receive: Carmelo Anthony

Denver Nuggets Send: Carmelo Anthony
Denver Nuggets Recieve: Derrick Favors, Andre Igoudala, 1 first round pick

Philadelphia 76ers Send: Andre Igoudala
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Troy Murphy, First Round Pick (Rockets)

I think the Nuggets are going to get some serious value out of Melo if they can get the Nets to trade for him.

Brand and Murphy might make the worst front court pairing ever. I have to think if Philly wants to dump AI's contract it won't be too hard. He's an elite role player, the kind of guy a near championship team seeks out to get over the top, and as much as his salary is too high, its not that hard to match in a 2 for 1 or 3 for 1 deal.

Basically would Philly dump AI straight up for Houston's pick? And could they get better for AI?

[StartOrien]

The Nets have a lot to offer... will the Russian make a gamble that getting Melo, and offering a max extension plus an aggressive push is enough to keep him?

Lopez and Favors can develop into a nice combination of O&D in the front court. Harris is playing well and can be a good player to pair with Melo. Sasha can be marketed as a championship caliber role player at least.

How could would a Lopez, Favors, Melo, Murrow, Harris starting lineup be? I guess they'd have Outlaw at F, Sasha at wing, and Farmar at PG off the bench - which is small, but add in a good backup C and its functional.

It sounds like Favors would be included in the offer.

Does anyone know which years the Nets picks come from Houston and Golden State? I'd wonder if they could get the Sixers to take on Outlaw's contract if they could offer 2 lottery picks.

[StartOrien]

Had to be started, here's what I got:

New Jersey Nets Send: Derrick Favors, Troy Murphy, 2 first round picks
New Jersey Nets Receive: Carmelo Anthony

Denver Nuggets Send: Carmelo Anthony
Denver Nuggets Recieve: Derrick Favors, Andre Igoudala, 1 first round pick

Philadelphia 76ers Send: Andre Igoudala
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Troy Murphy, First Round Pick (Rockets)

I think the Nuggets are going to get some serious value out of Melo if they can get the Nets to trade for him.

Brand and Murphy might make the worst front court pairing ever. I have to think if Philly wants to dump AI's contract it won't be too hard. He's an elite role player, the kind of guy a near championship team seeks out to get over the top, and as much as his salary is too high, its not that hard to match in a 2 for 1 or 3 for 1 deal.

Basically would Philly dump AI straight up for Houston's pick? And could they get better for AI?

The Nets could probably sweeten the deal with another future round pick, but I don't know who could beat that offer for Iguodala. I love AI, I think he's probably worth more, but I don't think there's a team out there that could beat this.

[Who]

Does anyone know which years the Nets picks come from Houston and Golden State? I'd wonder if they could get the Sixers to take on Outlaw's contract if they could offer 2 lottery picks.

Houston's pick is lottery protected until 2017.

Golden State's pick comes up in 2012 and is protected top 7 that year and the year after (2013) and top 6 protected in 2014. So a probable late lottery pick at some point in that three year period given the talent they have already accumulated + the flaws in their core (likely not a playoff team).

[PosImpos]

A team of Harris/Iggy/Favors/Lopez only needs Favors or Lopez to mature into a superstar to be a real threat. By real threat I mean about where Utah is now.

Dubious prospect that either will turn into a real superstar, though Favors has the talent to get there, I suppose.

[Moranis]

I still say he ends up in New Jersey.  Jersey has by far the best package and Melo is from Brooklyn so an extension is certainly a distinct possibility there.  The Nets just picked up two more first round picks yesterday so can now offer the Nuggets 3 first rounders next summer along with Favors.  No one is going to be able to top that.

Also, even if he stays in Denver and signs with the Knicks next summer, I'm guessing it would be a sign and trade anyway since the Knicks aren't going to be enough below the cap to even get close unless they renounce Chandler (and then still won't be near max money).

[Brendan]

Had to be started, here's what I got:

New Jersey Nets Send: Derrick Favors, Troy Murphy, 2 first round picks
New Jersey Nets Receive: Carmelo Anthony

Denver Nuggets Send: Carmelo Anthony
Denver Nuggets Recieve: Derrick Favors, Andre Igoudala, 1 first round pick

Philadelphia 76ers Send: Andre Igoudala
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Troy Murphy, First Round Pick (Rockets)

I think the Nuggets are going to get some serious value out of Melo if they can get the Nets to trade for him.

Brand and Murphy might make the worst front court pairing ever. I have to think if Philly wants to dump AI's contract it won't be too hard. He's an elite role player, the kind of guy a near championship team seeks out to get over the top, and as much as his salary is too high, its not that hard to match in a 2 for 1 or 3 for 1 deal.

Basically would Philly dump AI straight up for Houston's pick? And could they get better for AI?

The Nets could probably sweeten the deal with another future round pick, but I don't know who could beat that offer for Iguodala. I love AI, I think he's probably worth more, but I don't think there's a team out there that could beat this.

Given the protections, I'd pass if I was Philly. I'd want NJ's first round pick this year, no protection.

[Brendan]

Also, even if he stays in Denver and signs with the Knicks next summer, I'm guessing it would be a sign and trade anyway since the Knicks aren't going to be enough below the cap to even get close unless they renounce Chandler (and then still won't be near max money).

If the Knicks really want him and he really wants the knicks, they should try and get it done right now - because he may not be able to get there under the new CBA. (I'm assuming he's going to get a max deal or not go at all.)