I don't want Melo either, however if we could get him on the cheap and he agreed to be the sixth man role or anything coach asked you have to consider him.
If it was Amir, Jonas, Rozier two non Nets picks wood you do it.
Or Amir, Crowder, Memphis first do you pull the trigger still.
For either of those packages, I pull the trigger. The most I'd offer is Crowder, Rozier, Amir, Jonas, 2018 Boston pick.
Remember you have to match salaries within 25%. Then you lost all your future flexibility for a guy on the backside of his career. He makes $26-28mm over the next 3 years. How do you pay IT, Smart etc?
Flexibility for next offseason is a question for sure. But then the question is would you prefer the chance of getting (or not getting) Gordon Hayward or being assured Carmelo? I could see people being split on that choice.
How do you pay IT, Smart, etc? With bird rights. Considering how fast the CBA wrapped up and how high the cap has gone, you can be assured that NBA owners are doing VERY well right now. Wyc has shown a willingness to pay when the team is a contender.
Overall, I would unenthusiastically pull the trigger. We need to condense assets. Based on his Olympic play last summer, I think he's still better than people are giving him credit for (although playing beneath his level is quite concerning). Ray Allen and KG were within a year of Carmelo's current age when we acquired both of them and we got 5 good years out of them. I'd be very OK not pulling the trigger and staying on course though.