Woj Bomb: Knicks reach out to Celtics on Melo

[KG Living Legend]

People don't seem to realize that any trade for Melo to Boston is basically trading away most of the cap space next summer.  In other words you might as well be also trading Hayward, Milsap or some other max free agent for Melo as well, which is just nonsense.

 What are the chances we land another FA this year.

 Chances at Blake 5%
 Hayward 15%
 Milsap 10%

 Maybe we should lock up the sure thing right now. We were Lucky to Sign AL.

[nickagneta]

Just so those that only read the thread title know....Boston and LAC have already said no to a Melo trade.

Um, this is not true at all lol

All sources indicate that the Clips are currently talking to the Knicks about a possible deal not involving any of their Big 3, and there's no indication that Boston said no. The Knicks just gauged their interest on a trade, and I highly doubt trader Danny gave Phil a hard no, since there's no report that that happened at all.

Oops. Read the linked article in OP wrong. You're right. Thanks for catching that. TP

[bogg]

People don't seem to realize that any trade for Melo to Boston is basically trading away most of the cap space next summer.  In other words you might as well be also trading Hayward, Milsap or some other max free agent for Melo as well, which is just nonsense.

Well, I'm pretty convinced Hayward is staying in Utah, so there's that. Millsap is only a year younger than Melo and will take a four-year near-max to pry from the Hawks, and I'm actually more comfortable with Carmelo on a two-year deal than I am with Millsap on a four-year one. Assuming Millsap even came to Boston, which isn't a given.

[jpotter33]

People don't seem to realize that any trade for Melo to Boston is basically trading away most of the cap space next summer.  In other words you might as well be also trading Hayward, Milsap or some other max free agent for Melo as well, which is just nonsense.

Well, I'm pretty convinced Hayward is staying in Utah, so there's that. Millsap is only a year younger than Melo and will take a four-year near-max to pry from the Hawks, and I'm actually more comfortable with Carmelo on a two-year deal than I am with Millsap on a four-year one. Assuming Millsap even came to Boston, which isn't a given.

I believe Melo has three years left on his deal after this one, so he'd expire the same year as Horford. And, yeah, if it comes at a good price, I'd rather have a sure thing in a Melo trade than whiff on free agents this summer and roll into next season with pretty much the same team.

Word out there right now is that they're discussing a proposed deal of Rivers and Crawford for Melo, and it sounds like New York is trying to pry out more from them in future assets.

New York basketball writers have made it clear that at this point Phil won't get anywhere near full value for Melo, and he's not even really seeking it. He's ultimately just looking to move Melo and move on with the process.

Seems like ripe picking for Danny, IF he would agree to waive his NTC to come here, which people are unsure of either way.

EDIT: And hell, if he truly wants to win, Boston in the East is clearly a better situation for him than LAC, though I'm sure "winning" is not the sole focus of any trade move for him.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

People don't seem to realize that any trade for Melo to Boston is basically trading away most of the cap space next summer.  In other words you might as well be also trading Hayward, Milsap or some other max free agent for Melo as well, which is just nonsense.

Well, I'm pretty convinced Hayward is staying in Utah, so there's that. Millsap is only a year younger than Melo and will take a four-year near-max to pry from the Hawks, and I'm actually more comfortable with Carmelo on a two-year deal than I am with Millsap on a four-year one. Assuming Millsap even came to Boston, which isn't a given.

Interesting line of thinking. I think I'd rather keep our guys and flexibility than spend it on a 32 year old Melo who is declining quickly. I understand that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, but what if the bird in the hand is sick and old?

[DefenseWinsChamps]

People don't seem to realize that any trade for Melo to Boston is basically trading away most of the cap space next summer.  In other words you might as well be also trading Hayward, Milsap or some other max free agent for Melo as well, which is just nonsense.

Well, I'm pretty convinced Hayward is staying in Utah, so there's that. Millsap is only a year younger than Melo and will take a four-year near-max to pry from the Hawks, and I'm actually more comfortable with Carmelo on a two-year deal than I am with Millsap on a four-year one. Assuming Millsap even came to Boston, which isn't a given.

I believe Melo has three years left on his deal after this one, so he'd expire the same year as Horford. And, yeah, if it comes at a good price, I'd rather have a sure thing in a Melo trade than whiff on free agents this summer and roll into next season with pretty much the same team.

Word out there right now is that they're discussing a proposed deal of Rivers and Crawford for Melo, and it sounds like New York is trying to pry out more from them in future assets.

New York basketball writers have made it clear that at this point Phil won't get anywhere near full value for Melo, and he's not even really seeking it. He's ultimately just looking to move Melo and move on with the process.

Seems like ripe picking for Danny, IF he would agree to waive his NTC to come here, which people are unsure of either way.

EDIT: And hell, if he truly wants to win, Boston in the East is clearly a better situation for him than LAC, though I'm sure "winning" is not the sole focus of any trade move for him.

What other future assets do they have? Picks? Nope. Young talent? Nope.

It's basically Rivers and Crawford, and I'm not sure one of those is a rotation guy outside of Doc's system.

[bogg]

People don't seem to realize that any trade for Melo to Boston is basically trading away most of the cap space next summer.  In other words you might as well be also trading Hayward, Milsap or some other max free agent for Melo as well, which is just nonsense.

Well, I'm pretty convinced Hayward is staying in Utah, so there's that. Millsap is only a year younger than Melo and will take a four-year near-max to pry from the Hawks, and I'm actually more comfortable with Carmelo on a two-year deal than I am with Millsap on a four-year one. Assuming Millsap even came to Boston, which isn't a given.

I believe Melo has three years left on his deal after this one, so he'd expire the same year as Horford. And, yeah, if it comes at a good price, I'd rather have a sure thing in a Melo trade than whiff on free agents this summer and roll into next season with pretty much the same team.

Word out there right now is that they're discussing a proposed deal of Rivers and Crawford for Melo, and it sounds like New York is trying to pry out more from them in future assets.

New York basketball writers have made it clear that at this point Phil won't get anywhere near full value for Melo, and he's not even really seeking it. He's ultimately just looking to move Melo and move on with the process.

Seems like ripe picking for Danny, IF he would agree to waive his NTC to come here, which people are unsure of either way.

EDIT: And hell, if he truly wants to win, Boston in the East is clearly a better situation for him than LAC, though I'm sure "winning" is not the sole focus of any trade move for him.

Carmelo has two years left.on his contract after this season, but the last year is a player option he may or may not pick up, depending on how next season goes (obviously). There's a chance he's an expiring as early as next season, but that's not the reason I'd be interested in him (at the right price).

[gift]

Does this mean Carmelo indicated that the Celtics are a team he would be interested in going to?

[jpotter33]

People don't seem to realize that any trade for Melo to Boston is basically trading away most of the cap space next summer.  In other words you might as well be also trading Hayward, Milsap or some other max free agent for Melo as well, which is just nonsense.

Well, I'm pretty convinced Hayward is staying in Utah, so there's that. Millsap is only a year younger than Melo and will take a four-year near-max to pry from the Hawks, and I'm actually more comfortable with Carmelo on a two-year deal than I am with Millsap on a four-year one. Assuming Millsap even came to Boston, which isn't a given.

I believe Melo has three years left on his deal after this one, so he'd expire the same year as Horford. And, yeah, if it comes at a good price, I'd rather have a sure thing in a Melo trade than whiff on free agents this summer and roll into next season with pretty much the same team.

Word out there right now is that they're discussing a proposed deal of Rivers and Crawford for Melo, and it sounds like New York is trying to pry out more from them in future assets.

New York basketball writers have made it clear that at this point Phil won't get anywhere near full value for Melo, and he's not even really seeking it. He's ultimately just looking to move Melo and move on with the process.

Seems like ripe picking for Danny, IF he would agree to waive his NTC to come here, which people are unsure of either way.

EDIT: And hell, if he truly wants to win, Boston in the East is clearly a better situation for him than LAC, though I'm sure "winning" is not the sole focus of any trade move for him.

Carmelo has two years left.on his contract after this season, but the last year is a player option he may or may not pick up, depending on how next season goes (obviously). There's a chance he's an expiring as early as next season, but that's not the reason I'd be interested in him (at the right price).

Oh wow, you're right. Though I doubt he'll do better than the money he gets in that year, so I'd expect him to opt-in rather than opt-out.

But I think as long as he doesn't injure himself significantly, he should still be playing star level ball the next several years, and I think being on the Celtics would only increase his efficiency, just like it did Crowder's shooting this year. He's honestly a perfect small-ball four offensively for Brad's system, and I think moving Horford back to his natural center spot will make up for any defense we might lose by adding Anthony.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Don't think we need Carmelo Anthony. I mean, I'm down for a SF/PF upgrade, but that's not Carmelo, because of defense reasons.

[mctyson]

As long  as they don't want the Nets pick, then I'm ok with it.

No. No. Absolutely no.

As many have mentioned on this thread, this is not just about the pick NY would want back.  There are a few reasons this should not happen:

Melo makes a ton of money and would destroy future cap flexibility.  We basically have to include Amir in any trade for him.  Also, one of the Zeller or Jerebko contracts would probably go. All 3 of those guys are expiring (our future cap flexibility),  and those guys are just to match salary.  On top of that, we will definitely have to trade at least a young player like Rozier and a 1st rounder, if not Smart or Crowder.  We would decimate our depth, remove one of the few bigs we have on the team, become smaller and worse at rebounding (if that is possible), and ruin any chance of signing another max player until Melo is gone.

[The Oracle]

People don't seem to realize that any trade for Melo to Boston is basically trading away most of the cap space next summer.  In other words you might as well be also trading Hayward, Milsap or some other max free agent for Melo as well, which is just nonsense.

 What are the chances we land another FA this year.

 Chances at Blake 5%
 Hayward 15%
 Milsap 10%

 Maybe we should lock up the sure thing right now. We were Lucky to Sign AL.

Even if the C's strike out on the many possible scenarios involving max free agents that cap space has other uses including absorbing someone like Cousins, George or Butler in a trade without having to match salaries.

[Vermont Green]

I am OK with it depending on the return deal.  I assume Amir and Zeller just for salary ballast and then 2 or 3 non-BNK picks may get it done.

I think we could make a nice run the next couple of years with Thomas, Horford, and Carmelo.  Then after we don't resign Thomas and trade Horford, Carmelo will want out and we can begin to rebuild around Smart, Brown, Zizic, BKN 2017 and BNk 2018.

I am totally fine with that plan.

[Chief Macho]

Couldn't you just flip him again if they need cap space and haven't invested too much?   I don't know,  Melo absolutely makes this Celts team better and makes this season more interesting.  Isn't that what sports are supposed to be about? 

[GreenWarrior]

IT and Melo? yeah that'll work.