Melo representatives trying to get him to Chicago? ( Wojo Rumor)

[rondohondo]

As trade discussions with the New Jersey Nets stall, the representatives for Carmelo Anthony are engaging the Chicago Bulls with hopes of pushing them into becoming a serious bidder for the Denver Nuggets star, a league source told Yahoo! Sports.

Anthony has long been enthusiastic about a possible trade to the Bulls, but Denver and Chicago officials had been previously unable to come to terms on a deal. Bulls executives John Paxson and Gar Forman have investigated the possibility of acquiring Anthony, but thus far haven’t been willing to include the one player the Nuggets most covet: center Joakim Noah

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-anthonybulls011911

I know that Noah is a very good defender and rebounder, but if you have a chance to get another star to put along with Boozer and Rose, I think you have to do it.

It would probably hurt their playoff chances this year because they have to learn how to play with each other and replace Noah with their MLE next year.

Getting Melo would make them pretty equal to Miami talent wise with Rose, Melo and Boozer vs Dwade, Lebum and Bosh

Maybe they can do a trade like Deng, Noah and a 1st for Melo and Nene?

[Fafnir]

The Bulls have already pulled out of the Melo sweepstakes when they refused to give up Noah. They've since signed him to an extension, they're not moving him.

[StartOrien]

Ya, there's nothing coming out of this one. Melo's people can try all they want, Chicago's not an option for him.

[GreenEnvy]

And Melo would sign an extension there?

This guy is a joke. He belongs in Miami.

[CelticSooner]

This is getting ridiculous. Melo wants to have his cake and eat it too.

He isn't a free agent yet he is acting like one. Either sign the extension so Denver can get what they can out of you or take your chances with the new CBA.

He may as well sign the extension with Denver because they have pieces around him to compete unlike a NJ team.

[Roy H.]

Chicago *should* move Noah if it brings back Carmelo -- especially considering how admirably Kurt Thomas has filled in -- but they won't.  In my opinion, it's remarkably similar to how they wouldn't move Deng or Hinrich for Pau Gasol.  How'd that one work out?

[barefacedmonk]

Chicago *should* move Noah if it brings back Carmelo -- especially considering how admirably Kurt Thomas has filled in -- but they won't.  In my opinion, it's remarkably similar to how they wouldn't move Deng or Hinrich for Pau Gasol.  How'd that one work out?

I agree. Chicago over values its players.

[StartOrien]

Chicago *should* move Noah if it brings back Carmelo -- especially considering how admirably Kurt Thomas has filled in -- but they won't.  In my opinion, it's remarkably similar to how they wouldn't move Deng or Hinrich for Pau Gasol.  How'd that one work out?

I think the instances are quite different - Noah is a proven center who plays tremendous defense and works perfectly for his coaches defensive scheme. Hinrich and Deng were prospects at the time, but weren't anywhere near as proven as Noah - and they also lack his length.

[Roy H.]

Chicago *should* move Noah if it brings back Carmelo -- especially considering how admirably Kurt Thomas has filled in -- but they won't.  In my opinion, it's remarkably similar to how they wouldn't move Deng or Hinrich for Pau Gasol.  How'd that one work out?

I think the instances are quite different - Noah is a proven center who plays tremendous defense and works perfectly for his coaches defensive schemes. Hinrich and Deng were prospects at the time, but weren't anywhere near as proven as Noah is at this time - and they also lack his length.

Sure, they're not the exact same.  However, conceptually, they are:  Chicago fell in love with one of their young guys, passing on a more established, legit superstar in the process.

To me, the gap between Noah and "average replacement defensive center" is a lot smaller than the gap between Carmelo and "average replacement small forward".  Noah has missed 18 games, and it really hasn't hurt the team, or the team defense, that much with Kurt Thomas in there.

[StartOrien]

Chicago *should* move Noah if it brings back Carmelo -- especially considering how admirably Kurt Thomas has filled in -- but they won't.  In my opinion, it's remarkably similar to how they wouldn't move Deng or Hinrich for Pau Gasol.  How'd that one work out?

I think the instances are quite different - Noah is a proven center who plays tremendous defense and works perfectly for his coaches defensive schemes. Hinrich and Deng were prospects at the time, but weren't anywhere near as proven as Noah is at this time - and they also lack his length.

Sure, they're not the exact same.  However, conceptually, they are:  Chicago fell in love with one of their young guys, passing on a more established, legit superstar in the process.

To me, the gap between Noah and "average replacement defensive center" is a lot smaller than the gap between Carmelo and "average replacement small forward".  Noah has missed 18 games, and it really hasn't hurt the team, or the team defense, that much with Kurt Thomas in there.

But in this case, where they already ahve a superstar I think you could argue - and I'm torn myself - that the above average defensive center has more value than the above average scoring small forward.

[Roy H.]

Chicago *should* move Noah if it brings back Carmelo -- especially considering how admirably Kurt Thomas has filled in -- but they won't.  In my opinion, it's remarkably similar to how they wouldn't move Deng or Hinrich for Pau Gasol.  How'd that one work out?

I think the instances are quite different - Noah is a proven center who plays tremendous defense and works perfectly for his coaches defensive schemes. Hinrich and Deng were prospects at the time, but weren't anywhere near as proven as Noah is at this time - and they also lack his length.

Sure, they're not the exact same.  However, conceptually, they are:  Chicago fell in love with one of their young guys, passing on a more established, legit superstar in the process.

To me, the gap between Noah and "average replacement defensive center" is a lot smaller than the gap between Carmelo and "average replacement small forward".  Noah has missed 18 games, and it really hasn't hurt the team, or the team defense, that much with Kurt Thomas in there.

But in this case, where they already ahve a superstar I think you could argue - and I'm torn myself - that the above average defensive center has more value than the above average scoring small forward.

Well, I'd argue they already have two superstars.  Boozer and Rose is one heck of a foundation.  However, adding a third star is what would help them compete with the Miamis and Bostons of the NBA.  That's the current evolution of the NBA, I think.

[mgent]

Noah isn't even THAT good.  Chicago is the dumbest team in the league if they won't move a top 10 C for a top 3 SF.

[rondohondo]

Chicago *should* move Noah if it brings back Carmelo -- especially considering how admirably Kurt Thomas has filled in -- but they won't.  In my opinion, it's remarkably similar to how they wouldn't move Deng or Hinrich for Pau Gasol.  How'd that one work out?

I think the instances are quite different - Noah is a proven center who plays tremendous defense and works perfectly for his coaches defensive schemes. Hinrich and Deng were prospects at the time, but weren't anywhere near as proven as Noah is at this time - and they also lack his length.

Sure, they're not the exact same.  However, conceptually, they are:  Chicago fell in love with one of their young guys, passing on a more established, legit superstar in the process.

To me, the gap between Noah and "average replacement defensive center" is a lot smaller than the gap between Carmelo and "average replacement small forward".  Noah has missed 18 games, and it really hasn't hurt the team, or the team defense, that much with Kurt Thomas in there.

But in this case, where they already ahve a superstar I think you could argue - and I'm torn myself - that the above average defensive center has more value than the above average scoring small forward.

Above average scoring small forward? He is easily a top 10-15 player in the league. He would make that team so much more dangerous. Good luck trying to stop Rose, Melo and Boozer.

Like Roy said it is much easier to get a big defensive man with the MLE than it is to get a top 10-15 player in the league to team up Rose with . Melo is still really young too , that core would be so easy to build a contender around.

[birdwatcher]

It seems like Denver loses out no matter what. They either get some guys who can help the team and lose their superstar who surely puts butts in seats, or they just get some cap room next season. Do you think it'd be tough to lure a top free agent to Denver when you're playing next to an aging Billups, a broken Kenyon Martin and a guy with the worst tattoos in the league?

[StartOrien]

Well, I'd argue they already have two superstars.  Boozer and Rose is one heck of a foundation.  However, adding a third star is what would help them compete with the Miamis and Bostons of the NBA.  That's the current evolution of the NBA, I think.

I agree with you on Boozer, which  I think only fuels the argument that Noah would be a better fit for their team.

Like I said, I don't know where I stand as far as who makes this team better but I think its singificantly different than the Gasol situation.

Above average scoring small forward? He is easily a top 10-15 player in the league. He would make that team so much more dangerous. Good luck trying to stop Rose, Melo and Boozer

There's plenty of stats that say Melo's not that great of a scorer, but I tend to shy away from the camp and find him to be an excellent player - though I would definitely not say he's easily a top 15 player. I was simply trying to compare the difference between adding Melo and keeping Noah who I think is an exceptional defensive player.

I think it may be harder to find a strong defensive center with the MLE than you'd think, rondohondo. And I have a feeling I could find some Celtics fans who'd agree with me.