Carmelo to opt out

[Vermont Green]

I agree that LA could be a sleeper in this.  They can sign Melo easily enough I think.  If that happened, I wonder if the Lakers would make a run at Rondo.  #7 Plus Nash plus Kendall Marshall and maybe we make them take back Wallace?

I only see this even considered by Boston if we were officially out of the Love sweepstakes.

The Lakers could run with Rondo, Kobe, Anthony, Wallace, Gasol.

[BleedGreen1989]

Chicago or Houston, I reckon.

Those are the two best bets.  He can join a star-laden team while still getting paid close to a market rate.

wouldn't they have to move lin and asik first?

I would take both on the c's if we get love 1st.

what would we have to trade to get those 2 ?

I'd take Asik/Lin independent of Love provided we were not paying much.

I don't think we'd have to pay anything if we took both of them.  Asik has positive value, Lin has negative.  For both, it probably just takes non-guaranteed deals (Bogans, etc.) and the trade exception.

Yeah this is a great opportunity for Danny to jump in and get the center we need while helping Houston clear space for a good offer.  I think if we're willing to take on the salaries and cap hits, it could well cost us basically nothing.  Hope we're on it already.

I agree.

The "cost" of Asik would basically be taking Lin as well.

While Lin is clearly overpaid, I still think he could be very useful here in Boston. One of the many things this roster lacks is people who can create offense off the dribble and that's certainly one of Lin's strengths.

[Who]

I don't think the Lakers are in the running here.

Kobe Bryant is too old and coming off a horrible career threatening injury. The team doesn't have enough cap flexibility to put a third star alongside them. So not enough talent either. In 2-3 years, Lakers will have another rebuilding process on the horizon when Kobe leaves.

It is not an attractive enough place to go right now. For for an A-list star like Melo. I think LAL will be forced to settle for 2nd and 3rd tier stars until they get their team on a firmer foundation.

[Fafnir]

Chicago or Houston, I reckon.

Those are the two best bets.  He can join a star-laden team while still getting paid close to a market rate.

Either one could be very fun to watch. I don't think staying is good idea for Melo, but he could also do that for the extra cash.

I don't see Miami or the Lakers happening.

[Fafnir]

I'd love to see Carmelo on the Bulls. It'd be nice to see D-Rose get to play with a 2nd high quality offensive player and it'd be great to see Joakim Noah have those two guys alongside him.

Does Rose ever come back close to what he was at this point? I don't think he will, too many injuries to both his legs, his knees, and time away from actual play.

[colincb]

Chicago or Houston, I reckon.

This. Tough to see Dallas being a contender and certainly not LAL with Kobe's contract.

[Vox_Populi]

Even if Melo went to Houston, I still don't think they'd be able to beat OKC. Who are basically a step above every other team in the West, and they still couldn't beat San Antonio.

I'd like to see him in Chicago.

[Donoghus]

I don't know if Harden/Melo gels.    I really think Chicago is a better fit.  That team is screaming for an offensive minded swingman.

[Fafnir]

I don't know if Harden/Melo gels.    I really think Chicago is a better fit.  That team is screaming for an offensive minded swingman.

They are, but is Melo interested in a team where there might be another Amar'e like anchor on the team's salary restricting their ability to add talent?

[Who]

I'd love to see Carmelo on the Bulls. It'd be nice to see D-Rose get to play with a 2nd high quality offensive player and it'd be great to see Joakim Noah have those two guys alongside him.

Does Rose ever come back close to what he was at this point? I don't think he will, too many injuries to both his legs, his knees, and time away from actual play.

Yeah, Houston is surely the safer bet given all D-Rose's injury troubles.

[Donoghus]

I don't know if Harden/Melo gels.    I really think Chicago is a better fit.  That team is screaming for an offensive minded swingman.

They are, but is Melo interested in a team where there might be another Amar'e like anchor on the team's salary restricting their ability to add talent?

Vaild point.    I don't think Rose will get back to what he was once but I also don't think he'll be anywhere close to the rottening corpse of Amare, either.   Plus, they still have a pretty solid supporting cast there in place and playing in a much weaker conference than the West. 

[cman88]

I don't know if Harden/Melo gels.    I really think Chicago is a better fit.  That team is screaming for an offensive minded swingman.

They are, but is Melo interested in a team where there might be another Amar'e like anchor on the team's salary restricting their ability to add talent?

Vaild point.    I don't think Rose will get back to what he was once but I also don't think he'll be anywhere close to the rottening corpse of Amare, either.   Plus, they still have a pretty solid supporting cast there in place and playing in a much weaker conference than the West.

I just checked ESPN, and Rose has played only 49 games the past 3 seasons out of a potential 246. has had major injuries in both knees. The last time he played a meaningful game while healthy was in 2011 over 3 years ago

There is a better chance that rose becomes the next brandon roy or Tracy Mcgrady than coming back and being the same player he was 3 years ago sadly...

not to mention that Chicagos front office is notoriously cheap

[cman88]

Chicago or Houston, I reckon.

Those are the two best bets.  He can join a star-laden team while still getting paid close to a market rate.

I'd throw Dallas in the mix as well...


And I still put the darkhorse candidate as the Celtics depending what pieces fall where. A Love trade could make something happen.

I was thinking that as well. If C's can somehow do a trade for Love, can we possibly Lure Carmelo?

Rondo/melo/Love is a pretty solid core with one of the best facilitators in the nba and two of the top 5 scorers

[bknova]

no surprise.  he's looking for a big payday, which he can still command, and to find a team with a better roster to join.  Houston and Chicago are mentioned but don't sleep on the Lakers grabbing him.  high profile organization with Kobe coming back next year.  if they keep Pau on a reasonable deal and move Nash, it could happen and give them an intriguing roster to get to the playoffs.

There's still only one basketball, right?

[gpap]

Boston anyone?

No?

I don't want to see Houston, Chicago and the Lakers improve.

I'd like to see the Celts improve, if possible.