Stephen A. Smith Joined The Felger & Mazz Radio Show Yesterday And...

[Phantom255x]

http://boston.cbslocal.com/video/3616969-stephen-a-smith-joins-felger-mazz-on-radio-row/

He was asked by Felger about the chances that Carmelo Anthony gets traded to Boston and he responded, "there's a small chance...", and that made the entire Felger/Mazz crew groan and complain LOL.

Stephen A Smith thinks that Carmelo would really benefit from being in a more stable organization and with one of the best coaches (Stevens) and one of the best executives in the league (Ainge). Also he could be a legit scorer along with IT and they have the defensive support around him unlike in NYK.

But he did acknowledge there's a small chance of that happening and its likely he's either staying in New York OR going to the Clippers.

What did interest me was when Stephen A. said the league is taking notice of the Celtics and the players around the league are looking at Boston as a potential destination via FA or trade (its reputation is REALLY improving nowadays, which is exceptional). Also helps now that CBS is coaching the ASG now.

You can check out the video in the link above. He mostly talked Super Bowl and New England Patriots stuff with the gang but he spent the last 4-5 minutes on Celtics/Carmelo as well.

[Chief]

Any insight on a Philly trade? That's his old beat, correct?

[Phantom255x]

Any insight on a Philly trade? That's his old beat, correct?

I believe that was his old beat, but he never mentioned Philly at all lol.

[Smartacus]

I've been fairly vocal about Carmelo's fit here but I'm not trying to make the small chance that Melo get's traded to us my hill to die on. If we get him it will be for the right reasons and if we don't it'll probably be for the best. But from where I'm sitting these facts are undeniable...

- Kevin Love is not getting traded for Melo. There is no combination of players that the Knicks could include that wold entice the Cavs to give up Love.

- No amount of creativity changes the fact that Austin Rivers, Ray Felton and Jamal Crawford are no where near enough to entice New York to trade Melo. This includes involving a 3rd team. If you've got 65 Cents and need a dollar it doesn't matter if you a quarter and 4 dimes or 2 quarters, a dime, and a nickel your still no where near that dollar.

- Carmelo's no trade clause gives him unique bargaining power. It means if the Knicks want to move him that badly and we are the only option that he'd accept we wouldn't have to sell the farm like we would if we had to outbid smaller markets teams. The last time we were able to convince a player to waive his NTC to come here, we won a championship.

- He's only 2 years older and makes $3 million per year less than Horford.

- Golden State adding Durant put them way ahead of us in the arms race both in terms of them gaining franchise talent and us missing out on it. Melo is not the player that Durant is but he could help close the gap.

Again not trying to get into a war here only want to say that IMO we are the only team that makes sense for both New York and Anthony. Most likely scenario is that he stays put.

[Phantom255x]

I've been fairly vocal about Carmelo's fit here but I'm not trying to make the small chance that Melo get's traded to us my hill to die on. If we get him it will be for the right reasons and if we don't it'll probably be for the best. But from where I'm sitting these facts are undeniable...

- Kevin Love is not getting traded for Melo. There is no combination of players that the Knicks could include that wold entice the Cavs to give up Love.

- No amount of creativity changes the fact that Austin Rivers, Ray Felton and Jamal Crawford are no where near enough to entice New York to trade Melo. This includes involving a 3rd team. If you've got 65 Cents and need a dollar it doesn't matter if you a quarter and 4 dimes or 2 quarters, a dime, and a nickel your still no where near that dollar.

- Carmelo's no trade clause gives him unique bargaining power. It means if the Knicks want to move him that badly and we are the only option that he'd accept we wouldn't have to sell the farm like we would if we had to outbid smaller markets teams. The last time we were able to convince a player to waive his NTC to come here, we won a championship.

- He's only 2 years older and makes $3 million per year less than Horford.

- Golden State adding Durant put them way ahead of us in the arms race both in terms of them gaining franchise talent and us missing out on it. Melo is not the player that Durant is but he could help close the gap.

Again not trying to get into a war here only want to say that IMO we are the only team that makes sense for both New York and Anthony. Most likely scenario is that he stays put.

Oh I agree with what you say.

I even made a post thinking about the whole Carmelo situation for Boston.

You can read it here:

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=88923.0

[Smartacus]

I've been fairly vocal about Carmelo's fit here but I'm not trying to make the small chance that Melo get's traded to us my hill to die on. If we get him it will be for the right reasons and if we don't it'll probably be for the best. But from where I'm sitting these facts are undeniable...

- Kevin Love is not getting traded for Melo. There is no combination of players that the Knicks could include that wold entice the Cavs to give up Love.

- No amount of creativity changes the fact that Austin Rivers, Ray Felton and Jamal Crawford are no where near enough to entice New York to trade Melo. This includes involving a 3rd team. If you've got 65 Cents and need a dollar it doesn't matter if you a quarter and 4 dimes or 2 quarters, a dime, and a nickel your still no where near that dollar.

- Carmelo's no trade clause gives him unique bargaining power. It means if the Knicks want to move him that badly and we are the only option that he'd accept we wouldn't have to sell the farm like we would if we had to outbid smaller markets teams. The last time we were able to convince a player to waive his NTC to come here, we won a championship.

- He's only 2 years older and makes $3 million per year less than Horford.

- Golden State adding Durant put them way ahead of us in the arms race both in terms of them gaining franchise talent and us missing out on it. Melo is not the player that Durant is but he could help close the gap.

Again not trying to get into a war here only want to say that IMO we are the only team that makes sense for both New York and Anthony. Most likely scenario is that he stays put.

Oh I agree with what you say.

I even made a post thinking about the whole Carmelo situation for Boston.

You can read it here:

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=88923.0

Ya Phantom I didn't post that to debate anything you said, just to highjack your thread to push my agenda.

TP for the topics bud, keep up the good work.

[KGs Knee]

"Stephen A. Smith Joined The Felger & Mazz Radio Show Yesterday And..."

Somewhere in the world the devil's spawn was born

[Phantom255x]

I've been fairly vocal about Carmelo's fit here but I'm not trying to make the small chance that Melo get's traded to us my hill to die on. If we get him it will be for the right reasons and if we don't it'll probably be for the best. But from where I'm sitting these facts are undeniable...

- Kevin Love is not getting traded for Melo. There is no combination of players that the Knicks could include that wold entice the Cavs to give up Love.

- No amount of creativity changes the fact that Austin Rivers, Ray Felton and Jamal Crawford are no where near enough to entice New York to trade Melo. This includes involving a 3rd team. If you've got 65 Cents and need a dollar it doesn't matter if you a quarter and 4 dimes or 2 quarters, a dime, and a nickel your still no where near that dollar.

- Carmelo's no trade clause gives him unique bargaining power. It means if the Knicks want to move him that badly and we are the only option that he'd accept we wouldn't have to sell the farm like we would if we had to outbid smaller markets teams. The last time we were able to convince a player to waive his NTC to come here, we won a championship.

- He's only 2 years older and makes $3 million per year less than Horford.

- Golden State adding Durant put them way ahead of us in the arms race both in terms of them gaining franchise talent and us missing out on it. Melo is not the player that Durant is but he could help close the gap.

Again not trying to get into a war here only want to say that IMO we are the only team that makes sense for both New York and Anthony. Most likely scenario is that he stays put.

Oh I agree with what you say.

I even made a post thinking about the whole Carmelo situation for Boston.

You can read it here:

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=88923.0

Ya Phantom I didn't post that to debate anything you said, just to highjack your thread to push my agenda.

TP for the topics bud, keep up the good work.

Yep thanks a ton. TP for your analysis as well.

[Phantom255x]

"Stephen A. Smith Joined The Felger & Mazz Radio Show Yesterday And..."

Somewhere in the world the devil's spawn was born

I actually never realized Stephen A. Smith and Mazz are great friends.

I was kind of surprised they knew each other well.

But I guess the media is together in a sense. Connections and all.

[rayallen_35_24]

I've been fairly vocal about Carmelo's fit here but I'm not trying to make the small chance that Melo get's traded to us my hill to die on. If we get him it will be for the right reasons and if we don't it'll probably be for the best. But from where I'm sitting these facts are undeniable...

- Kevin Love is not getting traded for Melo. There is no combination of players that the Knicks could include that wold entice the Cavs to give up Love.

- No amount of creativity changes the fact that Austin Rivers, Ray Felton and Jamal Crawford are no where near enough to entice New York to trade Melo. This includes involving a 3rd team. If you've got 65 Cents and need a dollar it doesn't matter if you a quarter and 4 dimes or 2 quarters, a dime, and a nickel your still no where near that dollar.

- Carmelo's no trade clause gives him unique bargaining power. It means if the Knicks want to move him that badly and we are the only option that he'd accept we wouldn't have to sell the farm like we would if we had to outbid smaller markets teams. The last time we were able to convince a player to waive his NTC to come here, we won a championship.

- He's only 2 years older and makes $3 million per year less than Horford.

- Golden State adding Durant put them way ahead of us in the arms race both in terms of them gaining franchise talent and us missing out on it. Melo is not the player that Durant is but he could help close the gap.

Again not trying to get into a war here only want to say that IMO we are the only team that makes sense for both New York and Anthony. Most likely scenario is that he stays put.

i agree 100%...and melo would be awesome in boston...for the right price!

[Phantom255x]

I've been fairly vocal about Carmelo's fit here but I'm not trying to make the small chance that Melo get's traded to us my hill to die on. If we get him it will be for the right reasons and if we don't it'll probably be for the best. But from where I'm sitting these facts are undeniable...

- Kevin Love is not getting traded for Melo. There is no combination of players that the Knicks could include that wold entice the Cavs to give up Love.

- No amount of creativity changes the fact that Austin Rivers, Ray Felton and Jamal Crawford are no where near enough to entice New York to trade Melo. This includes involving a 3rd team. If you've got 65 Cents and need a dollar it doesn't matter if you a quarter and 4 dimes or 2 quarters, a dime, and a nickel your still no where near that dollar.

- Carmelo's no trade clause gives him unique bargaining power. It means if the Knicks want to move him that badly and we are the only option that he'd accept we wouldn't have to sell the farm like we would if we had to outbid smaller markets teams. The last time we were able to convince a player to waive his NTC to come here, we won a championship.

- He's only 2 years older and makes $3 million per year less than Horford.

- Golden State adding Durant put them way ahead of us in the arms race both in terms of them gaining franchise talent and us missing out on it. Melo is not the player that Durant is but he could help close the gap.

Again not trying to get into a war here only want to say that IMO we are the only team that makes sense for both New York and Anthony. Most likely scenario is that he stays put.

i agree 100%...and melo would be awesome in boston...for the right price!

It also means Ainge seems pretty confident the FA options will be real limited this summer (as in only Ibaka will be available...)

[chambers]

I'm one of those guys that would like Melo if the price were good/cheap.

But Smith is FOS and always has been.
Just not a reliable insider IMO.

[Chief]

I'm one of those guys that would like Melo if the price were good/cheap.

But Smith is FOS and always has been.
Just not a reliable insider IMO.

Would Crowder, contract filler, and a non Brooklyn pick be too much?

[chambers]

I'm one of those guys that would like Melo if the price were good/cheap.

But Smith is FOS and always has been.
Just not a reliable insider IMO.

Would Crowder, contract filler, and a non Brooklyn pick be too much?

It would be too much for me. Crowder's deal is just too cheap and at this stage I'd want him with Melo so they could switch the 3/4.
I think if any established vets go out in a Melo trade it's firstly Amir + Zeller or Amir +Bradley if we decide we ultimately can't re-sign AB with cap space when the time comes- especially with Smart's defensive impact and skill set.
However it would be pretty sweet to see the rest of the season with a lineup of:

IT
AB
Crowder
Melo
Horford


Bradley will get some $20 million+ offers and one could argue that AB is more valuable than Carmelo right now so giving him up is an overpayment too, even if he is expiring after next season.

I'd say Danny is waiting patiently at the deadline to offer:
Amir
Zeller
Clippers pick 2019
Boston pick 2018

[MBunge]

I've been fairly vocal about Carmelo's fit here but I'm not trying to make the small chance that Melo get's traded to us my hill to die on. If we get him it will be for the right reasons and if we don't it'll probably be for the best. But from where I'm sitting these facts are undeniable...

- Kevin Love is not getting traded for Melo. There is no combination of players that the Knicks could include that wold entice the Cavs to give up Love.

- No amount of creativity changes the fact that Austin Rivers, Ray Felton and Jamal Crawford are no where near enough to entice New York to trade Melo. This includes involving a 3rd team. If you've got 65 Cents and need a dollar it doesn't matter if you a quarter and 4 dimes or 2 quarters, a dime, and a nickel your still no where near that dollar.

- Carmelo's no trade clause gives him unique bargaining power. It means if the Knicks want to move him that badly and we are the only option that he'd accept we wouldn't have to sell the farm like we would if we had to outbid smaller markets teams. The last time we were able to convince a player to waive his NTC to come here, we won a championship.

- He's only 2 years older and makes $3 million per year less than Horford.

- Golden State adding Durant put them way ahead of us in the arms race both in terms of them gaining franchise talent and us missing out on it. Melo is not the player that Durant is but he could help close the gap.

Again not trying to get into a war here only want to say that IMO we are the only team that makes sense for both New York and Anthony. Most likely scenario is that he stays put.

There are also some logistic issues to consider.

1.  Avery, IT and KO have one more year left on their deals and Melo has two.  Even if Melo and IT can be resigned for a little less than the max, it would still pose some serious cap challenges.

2.  Boston's not only going to add a top six lotto pick this offseason, it sure looks like Yabu and Zizic will be coming over next season. Then there's Nader, whomever we get in the 2nd round and what other moves Ainge might want to make.  There's an issue of roster flexibility to consider.

Mike