Can we get into the Melo mix?

[Moranis]

Without giving up Rondo, I think you have to take on a lot of long term salary

Something like this works (obviously some draft picks would go from Boston to Denver)

Melo, Billups, Harrington, Sheldon

for

BBD, R. Allen, Perkins, Robinson, JO, Wafer, West


Gives the Celtics essentially a lineup of

Rondo/Billups/Bradley
Pierce/Billups/Daniels/Bradley
Anthony/Pierce/Daniels
Garnett/Harrington/Williams/Harangody
Shaq/Garnett/Erden

C's have a bunch of roster space and would need to sign some bodies for down low.  Guys like Earl Barron and Toine make some sense. 


Denver unloads a lot of long term salary and has a ton of expiring contracts to either let come off the books or to move at the trading deadline.

[pearljammer10]

Im trying to figure out if this is a serious trade proposal or not... JO, Baby, Nate and Perk for Melo? Are you serious? How does this help the Nuggets at all? I bet there are 28 other teams that could over a package ten times better than that. There really isnt any way we could get Melo. If Ray had a one year contract then we could dangle that but it still wouldnt get it done.

[greenhead85]

Im trying to figure out if this is a serious trade proposal or not... JO, Baby, Nate and Perk for Melo? Are you serious? How does this help the Nuggets at all? I bet there are 28 other teams that could over a package ten times better than that. There really isnt any way we could get Melo. If Ray had a one year contract then we could dangle that but it still wouldnt get it done.

2 steps (or 2 conditions). These steps seem to be so difficult for Denver to accomplish.

Step 1. Trade Melo to any player(s) (the best that is available on any of the 28 teams).

Step 2. This is the most difficult one since the trade will not proceed if this step cannot be met. Melo needs to sign an extension to the team that takes him. The problem is he is now asking for the team that acquires him to stay competitive.

Now, how can Denver solve step 2? Dallas is even offering "renting out" Melo which is too risky but which is also doubtful since Denver most probably wont trade Melo to a West team.

Moranis trade idea is also good. I would feel so sad though to part with future HOF Ray.

[Birdbrain]

Let's hope not.  I agree, every other team that's been rumored has much better assets to give Denver. 

[Bankshot]

I can fully understand the thought of not breaking apart this current contender of a team.  That makes sense.

However, to think that somehow BBD+Marquis+Perk+Nate+Draft Pick is too much to give up for Carmelo is crazy to me.  For starters, Denver wouldn't and shouldn't accept that from the Celtics.  Nate is suddenly that good?  BBD is suddenly a very efficient player?  Let's not forget that Pierce wasn't known for his defense at all until the team focused more on it, so I have no doubt Anthony could.  

If I were Denver I'd laugh if the Celtics called with something other than Rondo.  And personally, I wouldn't trade Rondo+others for Anthony now or if we weren't contending.

It's too much in that the with or without Melo, the Celtics still NEED Perk and Baby.  And it's not enough in that it's not enough talent going back to Denver. Rondo needs to be in the deal, and we're not giving up Rondo.

[BballTim]

Let's not forget that Pierce wasn't known for his defense at all until the team focused more on it, so I have no doubt Anthony could. 

  Possibly an aside, but PP was a very good defender in his earlier years. His D got worse as his load on the other end of the court increase but I don't think I've ever seen that kind of D from Melo.

[Chris]

Let's not forget that Pierce wasn't known for his defense at all until the team focused more on it, so I have no doubt Anthony could. 

  Possibly an aside, but PP was a very good defender in his earlier years. His D got worse as his load on the other end of the court increase but I don't think I've ever seen that kind of D from Melo.

Yeah, I haven't watched Melo closely enough throughout his career to say whether he has ever shown an inclination to defend, but you are right about Pierce.  He was a tremendous defender in his first few years, and then fell off as the team stopped defending in general, and he took on a bigger role offensively. 

[Who]

Let's not forget that Pierce wasn't known for his defense at all until the team focused more on it, so I have no doubt Anthony could. 

  Possibly an aside, but PP was a very good defender in his earlier years. His D got worse as his load on the other end of the court increase but I don't think I've ever seen that kind of D from Melo.

Yeah, I haven't watched Melo closely enough throughout his career to say whether he has ever shown an inclination to defend, but you are right about Pierce.  He was a tremendous defender in his first few years, and then fell off as the team stopped defending in general, and he took on a bigger role offensively. 

Carmelo has been a 6.5 out of 10 level of defender when he has committed to it.

A good but unexceptional defender.

I think Melo could take it up another notch on a top defensive team. He won't be a leader defensively but he could be a follower.

[Datruthtakesover34]

no thanks why melo hes gonna ruin chemistry dude cant play D why mess with such a great team right now, not willing to give up any of our main pieces that includes baby and nate, they fit so well with the team

[ManUp]

I wouldn't mess with the teams chemistry. Not for Carmelo and especially not if it's a rental.

[dpaps]

I would consider this trade if Danny knows now that he's not going to be able to or not going to want to resign big baby and perk after this season.

I think Baby is in for a big raise. I'd personally love to keep him, but who knows what kind of crazy offer someone might throw at him. Same with Perk. Again, I most likely wouldn't do this trade, but I mean Melo is an amazing talent, a top 5 talent in the League IMO, and getting him next to Rondo for the long run would be amazing. We would be set for the next decade if he would sign an extension. Even if he wouldn't sign an extension, Danny might feel confident that once he's here in Boston he'd want to resign.

Melo is big enough to play the 4, especially against the main teams in the east we are concerned with. He can go against Bosh and Turkoglu. And he can go against Odom.

We could take Shelden back in the trade and he and Semeh could be our 4th and 5th big men. Danny would have to find a 3rd big between now and April though. Sheed?

Rondo
Ray
Paul
Melo
KG

Dwest
Wafer
Keys
Sheed/Shelden/Luke
Shaq/ Semeh   + whatever Danny can find. We know players always get cut at trade deadline.

We could also start KG and Shaq and have either Ray or Melo come off the bench in a Manu role. Again, it doesn't matter who starts, it matters who finishes and since Shaq can't really play in crunch time, Melo takes Big Baby's role closing the game out with the big 4. Ray could come off the bench and still play 30 min. Or Melo could. As long as he gets his 30+ and is on the court for the final 6 min of the game, I'm sure it would be okay with either of them.


We know once the playoffs come around, the rotation gets shorter since Melo and Rondo can play 40+ min each and Paul, Ray, and KG can play 35+. Our bench could be Dwest, Keys filling out the backup PG and wing positions. Then Shaq, Sheed, Semeh, Shelden, or another big backing up the 4,5.

I love this team and think as constructed we'll almost definitely win the championship, so a major shakeup is highly highly unlikely. But this may be Danny's best chance to land a Superstar with Rondo.

And remember, we've been playing this year without JO and Perk. So basically it's the team we've had on the floor this season, minus Baby and Nate, but plus Melo, Shelden, and maybe Sheed.

[guava_wrench]

I disagree with any moves that make KG play center.

I don't want Melo this year. I would only want him post-contending era. I'm not sure a team can have much chemistry with him around.

I imagine Doc might help him improve his become a more efficient player by making better decisions.

It would be sad to see our assists plummet.

[PosImpos]

In short, no.

[dpaps]

On a side note, send regards out to Melo and his family. He had to leave the Nuggets today because of the death of his sister.

[footey]

How does that compare to Favor, two draft picks and cap space?

Favors could be the big difference that may sway Denver to pull the trigger in NJ's favor but he only offers a PF position to be effective. Perk is a proven big while BBD has already shown efficiency at the PF. We may also offer picks. Lastly, the trade works under realgm Trade ID #5779617. Melo going to NJ is so iffy since he wont get a title-contending team even if some of his teammates like Harrington goes with him there. Melo staying with us is highly likely to happen because he stays in the limelight and gives us a better peak for our future.

Favors is a potential star.


The Celtics are offering one starter and two good reserves. 

I think you mean, "was a potential star."  He "is" quite dreadful to date.