wow...lakers in talks to obtain 'melo

[JSD]

You know what this is? Denver saying "Hey Donnie Walsh, time to put or shut up" and Donnie will say "alright, lets get real and make a deal."

Before, the Knicks approach was "Smeh... we'll get him this summer" that will change now. Deep down, Denver doesn't want Melo in the West on prime time.

[Army_of_One_Nation]

I think if the Nuggets manage to get two to three good players from the Lakers, this trade rumor will actually be good. The Nuggets will take nothing less of either Bynum or Gasol, and Odom. Unless, the Lakers pull a Pau Gasol for Marc and Javaris and whoever else, on the Nuggets.

[j804]

Kupchak has to realize that a trade like this probably kills his title chances this year, right?

Not really as in they'd have no chance. Also they'd be title contenders for years to come. I don't like this.

[fairweatherfan]

You know what this is? Denver saying "Hey Donnie Walsh, time to put or shut up" and Donnie will say "alright, lets get real and make a deal."

Before, the Knicks approach was "Smeh... we'll get him this summer" that will change now. Deep down, Denver doesn't want Melo in the West on prime time.

This is my thinking...I don't think Denver is very happy with what the Knicks are offering, but I don't think they are very enthused to take on Bynum's contract with his injury concerns either.  Not to mention Nene is already pretty disgruntled that he's being backburnered in his contract year.  Adding Bynum might push him out the door as well.

It makes sense for the Lakers to look into this deal but I don't see them working out a package that both teams would agree to.  I don't think there's any way they'd be crazy enough to move Bynum and Odom together.  This strikes me as the Nuggets trying to get leverage with NY, maybe to get Gallinari thrown in or something.

[Donoghus]

Kupchak has to realize that a trade like this probably kills his title chances this year, right?

Not really as in they'd have no chance. Also they'd be title contenders for years to come. I don't like this.

Short term, they're not winning the title if they pull this trade.  They won't have the complementary pieces in place to get out of the west this season.  They'll be lacking in the frontcourt.

Long-term, they should be contenders.  They should attract some FA talent to complement that Kobe/Melo nucleus.  

[snowball]

Denver doesn't call the shots here.
They actually have no input.
It's totally up to Carmelo Anthony.
By agreeing to extend or not with new team.
If Melo is willing to become a Laker long term
and pass up on his Knick dream, it happens.
if not, it doesn't happen.

[j804]

Denver doesn't call the shots here.
They actually have no input.
It's totally up to Carmelo Anthony.
By agreeing to extend or not with new team.
If Melo is willing to become a Laker long term
and pass up on his Knick dream, it happens.
if not, it doesn't happen.

That's a no brainer then you're talking Melo and his wife who does what Reality shows filmed in Hollywood?

Also think LA would still do it if it hindered there title chances this year, even with a aging Kobe alongside Gasol they'd be scary can't see how they wouldn't do it.

 

[pearljammer10]

Odom's not gonna go anywhere. Thats a dumb deal for the Lakers if they put Bynum and Odom in the deal for Melo. Bynum for Melo however is a great move.

Lakers are 18 - 9 with Bynum this year... 18 - 7 without.

[Mencius]

This can only happen if they can find a taker for Artest.

I agree.  Bynum, Artest, and a 1st - for - Melo and Harrington.

That's decent value for Denver, and LA gets to keep Odom.  Artest is an immense knucklehead though, so that could be problematic.

[CelticG1]

This can only happen if they can find a taker for Artest.

I agree.  Bynum, Artest, and a 1st - for - Melo and Harrington.

That's decent value for Denver, and LA gets to keep Odom.  Artest is an immense knucklehead though, so that could be problematic.

The article says that Denver has no interest in Artest

[Chris]

The more I think about it, the more I think this is a ploy to get the Knicks to really step up to the table.  So far, the Knicks have been working under the thinking that they can just sign Melo in the offseason.  However, if the Lakers have an offer on the table that trumps theirs, suddenly there is a major issue.  LA is one of the few teams I think Melo will resign with without thinking twice.  This means the Knicks have to ante up now if they really want Melo, and put either Fields or Gallinari on the table.  

I still think Denver was stupid to play games with the Nets, who made an unbeatable offer, but this seems like a smart move to get the most they can now that the Nets have walked away.

[GreenFaith1819]

I would not be surprised if Carmelo ends up in LA. Not sure who the players would be, but I can see LA pursuing Melo big time.

Melo would be the Bridge to the future for LA. Kobe's showing some signs of decline, and now? In comes Melo.

That is why Rondo is such a blessing for Boston. No matter what happens, we have a bridge to the future in Boston, without trying to trade for a superstar.

And Rondo will certainly draw other players here. A pass-first PG?

But back to LA and Melo. LA doesn't have any attractive young stars in their lineup. This is why I would not be surprised if Melo ends up there, no matter who LA gives up.

[biggs]

I would not be surprised if Carmelo ends up in LA. Not sure who the players would be, but I can see LA pursuing Melo big time.

Melo would be the Bridge to the future for LA. Kobe's showing some signs of decline, and now? In comes Melo.

That is why Rondo is such a blessing for Boston. No matter what happens, we have a bridge to the future in Boston, without trying to trade for a superstar.

And Rondo will certainly draw other players here. A pass-first PG?

But back to LA and Melo. LA doesn't have any attractive young stars in their lineup. This is why I would not be surprised if Melo ends up there, no matter who LA gives up.

I wish I could share your optimism on Rondo.  I love rondo.  Let me say that again I love Rondo!, but in terms of rebuilding and star power he can't hold a candle to Melo.  If Rondo somehow magically lures in Dwight Howard and OJ Mayo in 2012, I will eat my words, but until that day....

It would be painful to see Melo go to L.A, but I think as injury prone as Bynum is, length is def L.A's greatest skill at this point.  If they make this trade they lose a lot of toughness, size and defense.  Offense isn't everything, and Kobe's selfishness + Melo's selfishness and no D, there won't be enough balls in L.A for the two of them.

The only thing that I would really fear out of this L.A hypothetical (please don't happen) is Artest coming off the bench to defend the opponents best offensive player, while either Kobe or Melo can rest.

Melo's tweet last night

"I'll trade in 50 for a W anytime.  Anyone, anyone?"

ummmmmmm......you know that you had 0 assists last night right Melo?

[jpurthe1]

I want the Lakers to get Melo...that means SPurs in the finals. It will also mean that Dhoward would be in green.
They cannot afford to have Gasol, Odom, Bryant, Melo and Dhoward on the same team, can they?
Man that would be ugly for us.
Rondo, DHoward, Mayo or Ellis would be great with the potential to have Josh Smith follow his boy to Bean town.

[PosImpos]

How's this for a scary prospect?

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=4rlex42 Post