It's great and all that all these guys are giving their expert opinions on Melo

[Kane3387]

I'm not down on Carmelo, but I don't see a realistic way to get him here.  It would require the Knicks agreeing to take back Wallace's contract, and I don't see why they'd do that.

That being the case, I'd rather pursue two lesser players that we have the resources to acquire, like Asik and Kevin Martin.

Agree - I think we have a legit shot at Love, but all the Melo scenarios are far fetched. I'd like to have Melo for sure, but there's just no realistic way to get him here that would appeal to the Knicks.

When we have more 1st round picks than any other NBA team in the next 5-6 years, I guarantee a handful of them appeal to a team that has no 1st round picks to trade until 2019 (or somewhere around there)

Sure, draft picks are appealing.  However, so is cap space, especially to a team like the Knicks.  They can clear a ton of it for the 2015/16 season.  Why would they jeopardize that to take on Wallace, especially when there will be other teams bidding that won't require they accept an albatross contract?

Bc as Phil said:

"It has to be part of a discussion," Jackson said about taking cap space into account, via ESPN. "But if we get back what we think we need to fill out the character and the type of player that we want to have, we're going to go forward with it anyway. We're not the only team that [is] going to be chasing these players [in 2015]. We have to understand that. We might feel that we have one of the best places in the world to play, but people are susceptible to their backgrounds and where they're from and families, etc. We understand that, chasing free agency, this team has been through it."

http://www.sportsworldnews.com/articles/14315/20140603/new-york-knicks-trade-rumors-video-phil-jackson-no-one-is-untouchable.htm

[Celtics4ever]

I think Melo and his Knicks background is why Phil took the job.

[McHales Pits]

I'm not down on Carmelo, but I don't see a realistic way to get him here.  It would require the Knicks agreeing to take back Wallace's contract, and I don't see why they'd do that.

That being the case, I'd rather pursue two lesser players that we have the resources to acquire, like Asik and Kevin Martin.

Agree - I think we have a legit shot at Love, but all the Melo scenarios are far fetched. I'd like to have Melo for sure, but there's just no realistic way to get him here that would appeal to the Knicks.

When we have more 1st round picks than any other NBA team in the next 5-6 years, I guarantee a handful of them appeal to a team that has no 1st round picks to trade until 2019 (or somewhere around there)

Sure, draft picks are appealing.  However, so is cap space, especially to a team like the Knicks.  They can clear a ton of it for the 2015/16 season.  Why would they jeopardize that to take on Wallace, especially when there will be other teams bidding that won't require they accept an albatross contract?

Yes, but at that point he will be an expiring. He wouldn't be impossible to move.

[Clench123]

You can put two top 50-75 guys next to Love & Rondo, build out a solid remaining rotation and I think you're still going to be in pretty solid shape.

Too bad "solid shape" teams don't win championships

[Clench123]

None of the players suggested in this thread puts up Melo's number.  NONE.  So OP is still right.

[Lucky17]

You can put two top 50-75 guys next to Love & Rondo, build out a solid remaining rotation and I think you're still going to be in pretty solid shape.

Too bad "solid shape" teams don't win championships

The 2004 Detroit Pistons and 2011 Dallas Mavericks say hello.

[Clench123]

You can put two top 50-75 guys next to Love & Rondo, build out a solid remaining rotation and I think you're still going to be in pretty solid shape.

Too bad "solid shape" teams don't win championships

The 2004 Detroit Pistons and 2011 Dallas Mavericks say hello.

I'd give you that but the fact that you are only able to mention two teams in the past 15 years with that luck partly proves my point

[moiso]

I think Melo and his Knicks background is why Phil took the job.

And the zillion dollars and ability to stay out of state.

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

I think this debate is fetishizing the superstarness of the guys to lead a team to a championship a little too much, over balance of skills. Even if the roster does not have x number of superstars, but has sufficient, scoring, defence and versatility to deal with varied match ups, then they become title contenders regardless of how many of its roster meet the status of superstar. I mean will a team that has doled out max contracts to Melo, Love and say...Lamarcus Aldridge be able to  fill out a balanced enough roster to survive 4 rounds of playoff basketball  better than, say the Indiana Pacers, or the Portland Trail Blazers?

[rickyfan3.0...]

Rondo
AB
Melo
Love
Hump

Is this a contender?

[slamtheking]

And that he shouldn't be brought here because he wouldn't fit and all.

For this thread, let's assume we do get Love.

So who do you want to pair next Rondo-Kevin Love? Who is that third star?

Some people like to take other peoples' ideas, even when they don't have any better ideas themselves.

So kindly let all of us know which "star" you want to get and your reason for why the player would fit and exceed here better than Carmelo.

First of all, there is no one available of Carmelo's caliber in the market right now. No, LeBron, Wade or Bosh are not coming here and Omer Asik is not a superstar, as much as you would like him to be.

Also, I'm talking about right now, not player who will be available next year or the year after or the year after that.

Rondo and Love want to win, that'd be the whole point Love would be willing to come here. Two stars ain't getting it done. They'll get crushed by the Heat. A third one needs to be there.

So, you have the stage. Just like many of you guys showered us with your exception knowledge and logical reason for why Carmelo should not be brought here, please school us further on who should it be instead. Because guess what? You can't just keep pointing out weaknesses in other people's ideas. We still have to get a third star, so either give your own ideas (and legit ones please, no "Lance Stephenson will be our third star" or "Omer Asik will be third superstar') or just sit down, instead of criticizing everyone.

Go ahead, blabber.

Melo and Love would certainly provide plenty of scoring at the end of games which has been an issue for the past few years.  I think it comes down to who's supporting them at C and SG.  Asik's fine for D but his offense is extremely limited to be kind.  AB (if resigned) isn't a real scoring threat at SG but could be of use moving without the ball and Melo/Love/Rondo being the focus for the opponent's D.

I'd be ok with picking up Melo, Love and Asik provided there's a way to keep them together for at least 4 years to have a good chance to fill in the roster around them (and Rondo) to provide the kind of support they'll need to contend.  IMHO, the cost of acquiring those 3 will probably seriously gut the current list of assets and not leave much in the way of remaining draft picks (for cheap talent) or decent bench players.  probably limited to MLE and vet min guys like we had to endure under KG/PP/Ray.

[CFAN38]

Why assume a 3rd superstar is required at all?

x2

[kozlodoev]

Why assume a 3rd superstar is required at all?

In today's era, if you want to go beat the Heat and win the Finals, you need three, not two.

Why assume Rondo is a superstar?

[pearljammer10]

Rondo
AB
Melo
Love
Hump

Is this a contender?

Not with an undersized center that doesn't protect the rim.

[crimson_stallion]

Why assume a 3rd superstar is required at all?

Because Rondo + Love does not equal Lebron + Wade, and because Sully does not equal Bosh, and because Bayless does not equal Ray Allen.

Shall I go on?