Report: Melo would waive no-trade for C's; Stevens would like him, Ainge doesn't

[Granath]

If that is true then what is everyone's best low ball offer that is also realistic?

http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=zxgcwds

Amir, Zeller, Rozier, 2017 Minnesotta Second, 2018 Brooklyn First, 2019 Memphis protected 1st
for
Carmelo Anthony

I think even the lowest of lowball offers would require the 2018 Brooklyn Pick

Brooklyn is really bad and has no future. If you have to give that pick up to get Melo then I think I'll pass.

This trade makes sense. NY gets picks and expiring contracts. The Celtics get Melo. New York gives up the best player, we give up the best, long term asset, the 2018 Brooklyn pick.

This really does mean that Ainge would need a follow up trade for a back up center that can rebound. Horford, Melo, KO, Jerebko might be the worst rebounding front court in the league. A trade for Noel would make the most sense since we could resign him in the offseason using his bird rights and allowing us to go over the cap.

Ya I don't see how New York trades Carmelo Anthony without one of the Brooklyn picks and of the 2, I'd want to keep the 2017 pick swap since it can be huge for filling in whatever gap that a Melo trade would leave us.

Have to move on from Bradley or Smart pick Fultz/Ball/Smith Jr
Have to move on from Jaylen or Crowder pick Josh Jackson/ Tatum/ Jonathan Isaac

Not to downplay what a Deandre Ayton, Michael Porter Jr., or Mohamed Bamba could mean to this team but if we add Melo, the roster is basically set. We'd still have Jaylen and the 2017 Brooklyn pick to develop and keep things looking bright for the future but we'd no longer need to say "just wait until those Brooklyn picks come through, you'll see!"

Alot of the guys could start performing better just because they know that their spot is secure and won't be taken by some upstart kid 2 years down the road.

It's all about what the market value is of 'Melo.

Let's be blunt. The market for aging 32 1/2 year old declining scorers who don't play defense isn't all that high. Melo's TS% is .540 which would currently rank him NINTH on the Cs roster. Most every major stat of his is down the last couple of years. Everything points to a continued decline. He's owed something like $55m the next two years after this one so in two years someone may be paying him $28m to be a #3 or #4 scorer.

At this point Melo's name is currently better than his game. Just for a reality check, Jae Crowder has more win shares than 'Melo right now and Crowder is 4x cheaper, younger and signed long-term. Give up a Brooklyn pick? I'd have to think long and hard about giving up Crowder for 'Melo straight up (yeah, I know the salaries don't work) and Jae ain't worth a Brooklyn pick.

The Knicks are slumping, 11th in the East and are sinking fast. This was a team that was 14-10 and have gone 7-18 since. Their beginning March schedule will be tough for an aging player/team with 10 out of 13 on the road. In short they're probably going to get a bit desperate to move 'Melo this year because by the next trade deadline he may actually have negative value and they need to acquire assets to build around Porzingis.

To sum all of this up, it's pretty clear that some people here overvalue 'Melo at this stage. Most GMs won't.

You have a direct line tapped into "most GM's" offices?

You want to talk about the market? The market is what dictated that 'Melo was worth his massive extension to begin with. Clearly the New York front office felt that he was worth his contract and I don't think they gave it to him under the illusion that he'd suddenly stop aging.

"Most GM's" wont even have a crack at Melo because the market dictated that he was worth a no trade clause giving him control over where he ends up.

If your argument against Melo is based around the fact that he wasn't able to lift an otherwise putrid Knicks team, I'd say that's the same type of reasoning that had people chirping year after year to trade Pierce. Just because Melo with a sophomore year Kristaps Porzingis is not enough to raise a team to a contender, does not make him a bad player.

Who knows what Steph Curry would look like if he was on the Knicks, James Harden was a maligned chucker until he gets 2 above average players and a great system and now he's second in MVP voting. None of today's stars try to go at it alone, and with how Melo  is treated by the fans and media you can see why.

To sum all of this up, it's pretty clear that some people here undervalue 'Melo at this stage. I wont pretend to speak for most GMs though because well, that's just like, my opinion, man.

You're entitled to your opinion.

1. Melo signed his extension in 2014. Yes, teams overpay for a few years' of production thinking they can live with the last one or two years (or better yet pawn it off one some other poor suspecting shlub). It happens all the time. Trying to raise that point now is like trying to say Anthony is worth what he was when he was 24 and scoring 28 ppg.

No, Donny. These men are cowards.

2. I never made any claim about his winning or lack thereof. So most of your post responded to a point I never made. I said the Knicks suck - and they demonstrably do - and never laid the blame at 'Melo's feet. They're not likely to get any better. Thus it's time for them to make a deal. So most of your post is responding to something that I never said or even implied.

So you have no frame of reference here, Donny. You're like a child who wanders into the middle of a movie and wants to know...

3. Why don't you tell me what an aging, 32 1/2 year old scorer who brings little else to the floor is worth? Why don't you shine a light as to why he is worth substantially more than Crowder given production, age and contract? Why don't enlighten us on how a known ball hog fits within an offense that is at its best when it is a passing, cutting and moving one? Why don't you elucidate on how he solves issues with rebounding and interior defense? Why don't you expound on how he's going to help the team maintain some cap flexibility?

Donny you're out of your element!

[MJohnnyboy]

If that is true then what is everyone's best low ball offer that is also realistic?

http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=zxgcwds

Amir, Zeller, Rozier, 2017 Minnesotta Second, 2018 Brooklyn First, 2019 Memphis protected 1st
for
Carmelo Anthony

I think even the lowest of lowball offers would require the 2018 Brooklyn Pick

Brooklyn is really bad and has no future. If you have to give that pick up to get Melo then I think I'll pass.

This trade makes sense. NY gets picks and expiring contracts. The Celtics get Melo. New York gives up the best player, we give up the best, long term asset, the 2018 Brooklyn pick.

This really does mean that Ainge would need a follow up trade for a back up center that can rebound. Horford, Melo, KO, Jerebko might be the worst rebounding front court in the league. A trade for Noel would make the most sense since we could resign him in the offseason using his bird rights and allowing us to go over the cap.

Ya I don't see how New York trades Carmelo Anthony without one of the Brooklyn picks and of the 2, I'd want to keep the 2017 pick swap since it can be huge for filling in whatever gap that a Melo trade would leave us.

Have to move on from Bradley or Smart pick Fultz/Ball/Smith Jr
Have to move on from Jaylen or Crowder pick Josh Jackson/ Tatum/ Jonathan Isaac

Not to downplay what a Deandre Ayton, Michael Porter Jr., or Mohamed Bamba could mean to this team but if we add Melo, the roster is basically set. We'd still have Jaylen and the 2017 Brooklyn pick to develop and keep things looking bright for the future but we'd no longer need to say "just wait until those Brooklyn picks come through, you'll see!"

Alot of the guys could start performing better just because they know that their spot is secure and won't be taken by some upstart kid 2 years down the road.

It's all about what the market value is of 'Melo.

Let's be blunt. The market for aging 32 1/2 year old declining scorers who don't play defense isn't all that high. Melo's TS% is .540 which would currently rank him NINTH on the Cs roster. Most every major stat of his is down the last couple of years. Everything points to a continued decline. He's owed something like $55m the next two years after this one so in two years someone may be paying him $28m to be a #3 or #4 scorer.

At this point Melo's name is currently better than his game. Just for a reality check, Jae Crowder has more win shares than 'Melo right now and Crowder is 4x cheaper, younger and signed long-term. Give up a Brooklyn pick? I'd have to think long and hard about giving up Crowder for 'Melo straight up (yeah, I know the salaries don't work) and Jae ain't worth a Brooklyn pick.

The Knicks are slumping, 11th in the East and are sinking fast. This was a team that was 14-10 and have gone 7-18 since. Their beginning March schedule will be tough for an aging player/team with 10 out of 13 on the road. In short they're probably going to get a bit desperate to move 'Melo this year because by the next trade deadline he may actually have negative value and they need to acquire assets to build around Porzingis.

To sum all of this up, it's pretty clear that some people here overvalue 'Melo at this stage. Most GMs won't.

You have a direct line tapped into "most GM's" offices?

You want to talk about the market? The market is what dictated that 'Melo was worth his massive extension to begin with. Clearly the New York front office felt that he was worth his contract and I don't think they gave it to him under the illusion that he'd suddenly stop aging.

"Most GM's" wont even have a crack at Melo because the market dictated that he was worth a no trade clause giving him control over where he ends up.

If your argument against Melo is based around the fact that he wasn't able to lift an otherwise putrid Knicks team, I'd say that's the same type of reasoning that had people chirping year after year to trade Pierce. Just because Melo with a sophomore year Kristaps Porzingis is not enough to raise a team to a contender, does not make him a bad player.

Who knows what Steph Curry would look like if he was on the Knicks, James Harden was a maligned chucker until he gets 2 above average players and a great system and now he's second in MVP voting. None of today's stars try to go at it alone, and with how Melo  is treated by the fans and media you can see why.

To sum all of this up, it's pretty clear that some people here undervalue 'Melo at this stage. I wont pretend to speak for most GMs though because well, that's just like, my opinion, man.

You're entitled to your opinion.

1. Melo signed his extension in 2014. Yes, teams overpay for a few years' of production thinking they can live with the last one or two years (or better yet pawn it off one some other poor suspecting shlub). It happens all the time. Trying to raise that point now is like trying to say Anthony is worth what he was when he was 24 and scoring 28 ppg.

No, Donny. These men are cowards.

2. I never made any claim about his winning or lack thereof. So most of your post responded to a point I never made. I said the Knicks suck - and they demonstrably do - and never laid the blame at 'Melo's feet. They're not likely to get any better. Thus it's time for them to make a deal. So most of your post is responding to something that I never said or even implied.

So you have no frame of reference here, Donny. You're like a child who wanders into the middle of a movie and wants to know...

3. Why don't you tell me what an aging, 32 1/2 year old scorer who brings little else to the floor is worth? Why don't you shine a light as to why he is worth substantially more than Crowder given production, age and contract? Why don't enlighten us on how a known ball hog fits within an offense that is at its best when it is a passing, cutting and moving one? Why don't you elucidate on how he solves issues with rebounding and interior defense? Why don't you expound on how he's going to help the team maintain some cap flexibility?

Donny you're out of your element!

TP for the appropriate Lebowski references.

[Phantom255x]

Melo with 26 points and 5 rebounds in 32 minutes.

Knicks outplayed by the Wizards 117-101.

Melo may not be a superstar but without him the Knicks are probably only a little better than Brooklyn (and that's saying something).

[greece66]

If that is true then what is everyone's best low ball offer that is also realistic?

http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=zxgcwds

Amir, Zeller, Rozier, 2017 Minnesotta Second, 2018 Brooklyn First, 2019 Memphis protected 1st
for
Carmelo Anthony

I think even the lowest of lowball offers would require the 2018 Brooklyn Pick

Brooklyn is really bad and has no future. If you have to give that pick up to get Melo then I think I'll pass.

This trade makes sense. NY gets picks and expiring contracts. The Celtics get Melo. New York gives up the best player, we give up the best, long term asset, the 2018 Brooklyn pick.

This really does mean that Ainge would need a follow up trade for a back up center that can rebound. Horford, Melo, KO, Jerebko might be the worst rebounding front court in the league. A trade for Noel would make the most sense since we could resign him in the offseason using his bird rights and allowing us to go over the cap.

Ya I don't see how New York trades Carmelo Anthony without one of the Brooklyn picks and of the 2, I'd want to keep the 2017 pick swap since it can be huge for filling in whatever gap that a Melo trade would leave us.

Have to move on from Bradley or Smart pick Fultz/Ball/Smith Jr
Have to move on from Jaylen or Crowder pick Josh Jackson/ Tatum/ Jonathan Isaac

Not to downplay what a Deandre Ayton, Michael Porter Jr., or Mohamed Bamba could mean to this team but if we add Melo, the roster is basically set. We'd still have Jaylen and the 2017 Brooklyn pick to develop and keep things looking bright for the future but we'd no longer need to say "just wait until those Brooklyn picks come through, you'll see!"

Alot of the guys could start performing better just because they know that their spot is secure and won't be taken by some upstart kid 2 years down the road.

It's all about what the market value is of 'Melo.

Let's be blunt. The market for aging 32 1/2 year old declining scorers who don't play defense isn't all that high. Melo's TS% is .540 which would currently rank him NINTH on the Cs roster. Most every major stat of his is down the last couple of years. Everything points to a continued decline. He's owed something like $55m the next two years after this one so in two years someone may be paying him $28m to be a #3 or #4 scorer.

At this point Melo's name is currently better than his game. Just for a reality check, Jae Crowder has more win shares than 'Melo right now and Crowder is 4x cheaper, younger and signed long-term. Give up a Brooklyn pick? I'd have to think long and hard about giving up Crowder for 'Melo straight up (yeah, I know the salaries don't work) and Jae ain't worth a Brooklyn pick.

The Knicks are slumping, 11th in the East and are sinking fast. This was a team that was 14-10 and have gone 7-18 since. Their beginning March schedule will be tough for an aging player/team with 10 out of 13 on the road. In short they're probably going to get a bit desperate to move 'Melo this year because by the next trade deadline he may actually have negative value and they need to acquire assets to build around Porzingis.

To sum all of this up, it's pretty clear that some people here overvalue 'Melo at this stage. Most GMs won't.

You have a direct line tapped into "most GM's" offices?

You want to talk about the market? The market is what dictated that 'Melo was worth his massive extension to begin with. Clearly the New York front office felt that he was worth his contract and I don't think they gave it to him under the illusion that he'd suddenly stop aging.

"Most GM's" wont even have a crack at Melo because the market dictated that he was worth a no trade clause giving him control over where he ends up.

If your argument against Melo is based around the fact that he wasn't able to lift an otherwise putrid Knicks team, I'd say that's the same type of reasoning that had people chirping year after year to trade Pierce. Just because Melo with a sophomore year Kristaps Porzingis is not enough to raise a team to a contender, does not make him a bad player.

Who knows what Steph Curry would look like if he was on the Knicks, James Harden was a maligned chucker until he gets 2 above average players and a great system and now he's second in MVP voting. None of today's stars try to go at it alone, and with how Melo  is treated by the fans and media you can see why.

To sum all of this up, it's pretty clear that some people here undervalue 'Melo at this stage. I wont pretend to speak for most GMs though because well, that's just like, my opinion, man.

You're entitled to your opinion.

1. Melo signed his extension in 2014. Yes, teams overpay for a few years' of production thinking they can live with the last one or two years (or better yet pawn it off one some other poor suspecting shlub). It happens all the time. Trying to raise that point now is like trying to say Anthony is worth what he was when he was 24 and scoring 28 ppg.

No, Donny. These men are cowards.

2. I never made any claim about his winning or lack thereof. So most of your post responded to a point I never made. I said the Knicks suck - and they demonstrably do - and never laid the blame at 'Melo's feet. They're not likely to get any better. Thus it's time for them to make a deal. So most of your post is responding to something that I never said or even implied.

So you have no frame of reference here, Donny. You're like a child who wanders into the middle of a movie and wants to know...

3. Why don't you tell me what an aging, 32 1/2 year old scorer who brings little else to the floor is worth? Why don't you shine a light as to why he is worth substantially more than Crowder given production, age and contract? Why don't enlighten us on how a known ball hog fits within an offense that is at its best when it is a passing, cutting and moving one? Why don't you elucidate on how he solves issues with rebounding and interior defense? Why don't you expound on how he's going to help the team maintain some cap flexibility?

Donny you're out of your element!

TP for the appropriate Lebowski references.

I don't like your @@@@-off name, I don't like your @@@@-off face, I don't like your @@@@-off behavior, and I don't like you... @@@@-off.

[Granath]

Melo with 26 points and 5 rebounds in 32 minutes.

Knicks outplayed by the Wizards 117-101.

Melo may not be a superstar but without him the Knicks are probably only a little better than Brooklyn (and that's saying something).

1. Melo went for 26/5 and was -12. The guy he guarded much of the night was 24/10 (10 ppg over his season average) and was +13. I'm not laying the blame on Melo here - the rest of the Knicks team was awful with Porz. But he's not helping much. With Anthony on the floor the Knicks give up over 110 ppg. The team's defensive rating drops by 7 points when he's off the court. In fact this year Anthony has not really be an asset on the court for the Knicks:

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2017/01/12/knicks-embarrass-themselves/
http://www.espn.com/nba/statistics/rpm/_/page/2/sort/DRPM/position/5

2. If he's no longer a superstar why would anyone trade a top 5 pick for him in a deep draft?

I think someone could build a team around Anthony a few years ago by surrounding him with rebounders, really good defenders, two 3 point shooters and a cutter. Open the floor up. Let the cutter dish and drive. Let Anthony be a high volume scorer and relax on the defensive end. Almost like what the 76ers did with AI.

At 32 1/2 he's not able to be that centerpiece anymore. He's best served as a #2 scorer who plays no more than 30 mpg a night and draws the easy matchup on defense. That doesn't mean he's not valuable but that's most certainly not worthy of either of the Brooklyn picks. Especially when you consider his cap implications and what will almost be certainly a series of declining performances in the next two years.

If the Cs trade either of the Brooklyn picks for Anthony, does that put them over the top? I don't think it does. And - if trends continue - Anthony ends up being no better than a #3 scorer in two years from now, how would anyone feel about giving up what could reasonably be the top pick in this draft or the next?

[hodgy03038]

2. If he's no longer a superstar why would anyone trade a top 5 pick for him in a deep draft?

Who would do that?

[crimson_stallion]

I am the only one to preffer melo than butler... i think butler is playing for himself..only... i think melo costs less, has proven he is a good teammate at the olympics, wants a championship more and fits the bigger plan... keep the team at playoff position creating a winning culture until lebron is out of the picture in 2-3 years... and then strike for the championship... smart brown and the 2 nets picks should be untradeable

I do too...but the key is Melo only likely has 2-3 years of dominance left in him,  while Butler is only 27ish and still has 5-6 years.

But then Melo for that same reason might be more cap friendly..  I do worry about how screwed teams will be after the cap drops again after the TV deal   teams will be tens of millions over the cap.   Melos deal lines up worth the TV deal and expires around when it does I believe,  so it's actually a pretty good deal.

I actuallly worry more about Horfords deal then Camelos

[Ilikesports17]

I am the only one to preffer melo than butler... i think butler is playing for himself..only... i think melo costs less, has proven he is a good teammate at the olympics, wants a championship more and fits the bigger plan... keep the team at playoff position creating a winning culture until lebron is out of the picture in 2-3 years... and then strike for the championship... smart brown and the 2 nets picks should be untradeable

I do too...but the key is Melo only likely has 2-3 years of dominance left in him,  while Butler is only 27ish and still has 5-6 years.

But then Melo for that same reason might be more cap friendly..  I do worry about how screwed teams will be after the cap drops again after the TV deal   teams will be tens of millions over the cap.   Melos deal lines up worth the TV deal and expires around when it does I believe,  so it's actually a pretty good deal.

I actuallly worry more about Horfords deal then Camelos

I know nothing about TV deals and cap, but isnt it likely that a new TV deal is signed and the cap continues to go up?

[crimson_stallion]

To all those who claim Melo isn't worth his contract,  let me remind you:

1. Evan Turner is making $17m a year to come off the bench

2.  Al Horford is making $28m a year from Danny Ainge as a 30 year old giving us 15 points and 7 rebounds a game

Dont know abiut you, but Carmelo Anthony at $25m a year seems pretty solid value to me.

[crimson_stallion]

I am the only one to preffer melo than butler... i think butler is playing for himself..only... i think melo costs less, has proven he is a good teammate at the olympics, wants a championship more and fits the bigger plan... keep the team at playoff position creating a winning culture until lebron is out of the picture in 2-3 years... and then strike for the championship... smart brown and the 2 nets picks should be untradeable

I do too...but the key is Melo only likely has 2-3 years of dominance left in him,  while Butler is only 27ish and still has 5-6 years.

But then Melo for that same reason might be more cap friendly..  I do worry about how screwed teams will be after the cap drops again after the TV deal   teams will be tens of millions over the cap.   Melos deal lines up worth the TV deal and expires around when it does I believe,  so it's actually a pretty good deal.

I actuallly worry more about Horfords deal then Camelos

I know nothing about TV deals and cap, but isnt it likely that a new TV deal is signed and the cap continues to go up?

I think I read its a 4 or 5 year deal, and after that it'll drop off again.  I could be wrong.

[Bobshot]

To all those who claim Melo isn't worth his contract,  let me remind you:

1. Evan Turner is making $17m a year to come off the bench

2. Mike Conley is making ~$30m a year and isn't an all star

3. Al Horford is making $28m a year from Danny Ainge as a 30 year old giving us 15 points and 7 rebounds a game

Dont know abiut you, but Carmelo Anthony at $25m a year seems pretty solid value to me.

Yeah. I agree. The only question is how Melo fits into their fast break. His biggest contribution would be to take some of the offensive pressure off IT. IT is forcing too many shots.

[saltlover]

I am the only one to preffer melo than butler... i think butler is playing for himself..only... i think melo costs less, has proven he is a good teammate at the olympics, wants a championship more and fits the bigger plan... keep the team at playoff position creating a winning culture until lebron is out of the picture in 2-3 years... and then strike for the championship... smart brown and the 2 nets picks should be untradeable

I do too...but the key is Melo only likely has 2-3 years of dominance left in him,  while Butler is only 27ish and still has 5-6 years.

But then Melo for that same reason might be more cap friendly..  I do worry about how screwed teams will be after the cap drops again after the TV deal   teams will be tens of millions over the cap.   Melos deal lines up worth the TV deal and expires around when it does I believe,  so it's actually a pretty good deal.

I actuallly worry more about Horfords deal then Camelos

I know nothing about TV deals and cap, but isnt it likely that a new TV deal is signed and the cap continues to go up?

I think I read its a 4 or 5 year deal, and after that it'll drop off again.  I could be wrong.

The TV deal runs another 8 seasons after this one.  The media landscape is changing rapidly, but by the time the next media contract comes up for bidding, it should have reached a new level of equilibrium.  I think the next deal will be smaller, but that the NBA will make a lot more revenue through online subscription services to make up for it (and/or partner with someone like Netflix.)

Regardless, it won't have any affect on the contract decisions the Celtics make for several seasons.

[crimson_stallion]

I am the only one to preffer melo than butler... i think butler is playing for himself..only... i think melo costs less, has proven he is a good teammate at the olympics, wants a championship more and fits the bigger plan... keep the team at playoff position creating a winning culture until lebron is out of the picture in 2-3 years... and then strike for the championship... smart brown and the 2 nets picks should be untradeable

I do too...but the key is Melo only likely has 2-3 years of dominance left in him,  while Butler is only 27ish and still has 5-6 years.

But then Melo for that same reason might be more cap friendly..  I do worry about how screwed teams will be after the cap drops again after the TV deal   teams will be tens of millions over the cap.   Melos deal lines up worth the TV deal and expires around when it does I believe,  so it's actually a pretty good deal.

I actuallly worry more about Horfords deal then Camelos

I know nothing about TV deals and cap, but isnt it likely that a new TV deal is signed and the cap continues to go up?

I think I read its a 4 or 5 year deal, and after that it'll drop off again.  I could be wrong.

The TV deal runs another 8 seasons after this one.  The media landscape is changing rapidly, but by the time the next media contract comes up for bidding, it should have reached a new level of equilibrium.  I think the next deal will be smaller, but that the NBA will make a lot more revenue through online subscription services to make up for it (and/or partner with someone like Netflix.)

Regardless, it won't have any affect on the contract decisions the Celtics make for several seasons.

This is good to know

[csfansince60s]

To all those who claim Melo isn't worth his contract,  let me remind you:

1. Evan Turner is making $17m a year to come off the bench

2. Mike Conley is making ~$30m a year and isn't an all star

3. Al Horford is making $28m a year from Danny Ainge as a 30 year old giving us 15 points and 7 rebounds a game

Dont know abiut you, but Carmelo Anthony at $25m a year seems pretty solid value to me.

Yeah. I agree. The only question is how Melo fits into their fast break. His biggest contribution would be to take some of the offensive pressure off IT. IT is forcing too many shots.

Great question. He can pass and finish pretty well, which is big for the break, and is as good a rebounder as Amir.He can still run the floor a bit too.

If we get him on the cheap, that would be great.

But his greatest value to us is in the half court, the basketball that is mainly played in the playoffs. This will be the most talented team that he has ever played for, depth and quality wise, so we can get his minutes down from 35 now to 25 in the regular season if we keep most of our assets, and then crank up his minutes come playoff time.

[RAAAAAAAANDY]

To all those who claim Melo isn't worth his contract,  let me remind you:

1. Evan Turner is making $17m a year to come off the bench

2. Mike Conley is making ~$30m a year and isn't an all star

3. Al Horford is making $28m a year from Danny Ainge as a 30 year old giving us 15 points and 7 rebounds a game

Dont know abiut you, but Carmelo Anthony at $25m a year seems pretty solid value to me.

Yeah. I agree. The only question is how Melo fits into their fast break. His biggest contribution would be to take some of the offensive pressure off IT. IT is forcing too many shots.

Great question. He can pass and finish pretty well, which is big for the break, and is as good a rebounder as Amir.He can still run the floor a bit too.

If we get him on the cheap, that would be great.

But his greatest value to us is in the half court, the basketball that is mainly played in the playoffs. This will be the most talented team that he has ever played for, depth and quality wise, so we can get his minutes down from 35 now to 25 in the regular season if we keep most of our assets, and then crank up his minutes come playoff time.

He's a pretty pedestrian finisher around the rim tbh. And good luck getting Melo to run.