Is Carmelo Ainge's Legit Plan B?

[Phantom255x]

1. Mike Gorman did mention a few weeks ago, that members of the Celtics staff and front office view Anthony as a potentially great fit here (and Mike Gorman isn't the one to just put up news out there for clicks - there is probably some truth to this rumor).

2. In the Woj Article this past week, it was mentioned that the Celtics have minimal interest in Carmelo because they feel they can swing a deal for either Jimmy Butler or Paul George. But if Ainge realizes that a trade for JB or PG13 is impossible (astronomically high prices), could he look at Carmelo hard again?

3. The price for Anthony won't be that big (definitely no BKN picks or Smart and Brown). Doesn't seem like the Clippers or Cavaliers are willing to trade a big price for him either (though for Cleveland that's because they have nothing besides Love as a trade asset). Ultimately his value is low and unless Phil just decides to keep Anthony than trade him for close to nothing, he could be had for a CHEAP price.

4. The Free Agents to be: Hayward, Griffin, Noel, Ibaka, Millsap. I doubt Hayward and Griffin leave their current teams, and Philly likely will keep Noel as he's a good fit next to Embiid and that's why they are shopping Okafor now. Ultimately it could be Ibaka or Millsap.. Or Melo?

I'm on the train that says NO to adding Melo, but I would think hard about it if I'm the C's, also if you can add Zizic, the 2017 BKN Pick (Fultz/Ball/Jackson), and potentially swing a deal for another big piece with the assets that remain (2018 BKN Pick, Bradley, etc.). There's still 11 days left until the deadline, and all it takes is a few seconds to make a deal lol. I don't predict it happens, but I never predicted the KG deal would happen, or the Jeff Green deal, or Isaiah Thomas a minute before the end of the deadline (STEAL OF THE CENTURY! THANKS SUNS!!)

[Big333223]

If Melo is OK with being the third option (I'd rather have Al Horford making plays as the #2) and OK with playing lots of PF, and can be got for as cheap as it seems, the C's would be smart to take a flier on him. But if he's going to want the star treatment and he's not willing to do everything the team needs of him, don't bother.

[Ilikesports17]

If Melo is OK with being the third option (I'd rather have Al Horford making plays as the #2) and OK with playing lots of PF, and can be got for as cheap as it seems, the C's would be smart to take a flier on him. But if he's going to want the star treatment and he's not willing to do everything the team needs of him, don't bother.

Agree with all but the bolded. Melo becomes your #2 option if hes here.

[positivitize]

I hope not. I don't like Melo. I don't want to compete for 2nd/3rd in the league with a bunch of old guys like the clippers. I'd rather hover around 5-6th in the league and grow our franchise through the draft.

[action781]

If it doesn't cause us to sacrifice major future assets, I'm OK adding Melo.  I'm on the fence if I view Jaylen Brown as being a "major future asset" or not.  I almost want Carmelo more than Butler/George just because the production isn't that different and the cost looks to be far cheaper.  My big concern is that I'm legit not sure if Carmelo might make us a potentially worse team in the present.  That might just be pessimistic thinking, but I'm really not totally sure.

[Ilikesports17]

If it doesn't cause us to sacrifice major future assets, I'm OK adding Melo.  I'm on the fence if I view Jaylen Brown as being a "major future asset" or not.  I almost want Carmelo more than Butler/George just because the production isn't that different and the cost looks to be far cheaper.  My big concern is that I'm legit not sure if Carmelo might make us a potentially worse team in the present.  That might just be pessimistic thinking, but I'm really not totally sure.

I would never trade Brown for Melo.

Also the production gap between Melo and Butler/George is massive.

[sdceltsfan]

I would much rather have Carmelo shooting 18 footers all the way to the 3-pt range than Horford. Melo is a better rebounder then a lot of people give him credit for, and I think coming in fresh to a new city that appreciates talent, on to a competitive team with other players who he respects, Melo will thrive.

It's not a carbon copy situation to the Olympic Team version of Melo, but just the mentality change when he is in a positive environment. New York is absolutely toxic, to the point where it has killed a super-star's trade value.

I am all for taking advantage of this even if it costs us Bradley or Rozier.

I feel like Bradley has peaked, and he is often injured. I am least comfortable with extending Bradley out of the mid-level to max extensions coming up (Smart, IT, Bradley). However, to the Knicks, who have botched Melo's trade value, Bradley is probably by far the best player mentioned in any trade rumors that they could hope to get back.

I say an offer of Bradley, Amir, Demetrius Jackson, Boston 2018 1st rounder, and a couple 2nd rounders.

New York gets to take in a breath of fresh air.

Boston is essentially trading Bradley for Melo. Amir is expiring, Jackson may never see the light of day in this rotation, and aside from the Brooklyn 1st, we have Zizic and at least one more of Yabu/Nader incoming, so it's not like we have a ton of space on the roster.

We are still set up for another major trade, having only given up Bradley as a non-expendable asset. Once Melo is traded, is his no-trade clause completely stricken from his contract, or is a temporary approval by the player that then carries over in a trade?

[Vermont Green]

I say an offer of Bradley, Amir, Demetrius Jackson, Boston 2018 1st rounder, and a couple 2nd rounders.

In my mind, you take Carmelo because you want to make a run for 2 seasons or so.  If you give up Bradley, that creates a hole.  If we could do your trade with Zeller instead of Bradley and then sign Sanders, I could see it but I think this is a stretch.  I don't mind taking a flyer on Melo  but it is hard to match up for a deal.

[sdceltsfan]

I say an offer of Bradley, Amir, Demetrius Jackson, Boston 2018 1st rounder, and a couple 2nd rounders.

In my mind, you take Carmelo because you want to make a run for 2 seasons or so.  If you give up Bradley, that creates a hole.  If we could do your trade with Zeller instead of Bradley and then sign Sanders, I could see it but I think this is a stretch.  I don't mind taking a flyer on Melo  but it is hard to match up for a deal.

In my mind, the scoring Carmelo creates far outweighs the "hole" that Bradley leaves when we have Smart, Rozier, and possibly Fultz in our guard rotation, or if we swing another trade for Jimmy Butler to start at the 2.

[Ilikesports17]

I say an offer of Bradley, Amir, Demetrius Jackson, Boston 2018 1st rounder, and a couple 2nd rounders.

In my mind, you take Carmelo because you want to make a run for 2 seasons or so.  If you give up Bradley, that creates a hole.  If we could do your trade with Zeller instead of Bradley and then sign Sanders, I could see it but I think this is a stretch.  I don't mind taking a flyer on Melo  but it is hard to match up for a deal.

In my mind, the scoring Carmelo creates far outweighs the "hole" that Bradley leaves when we have Smart, Rozier, and possibly Fultz in our guard rotation, or if we swing another trade for Jimmy Butler to start at the 2.

it takes a ton of confidence in Brown and Melo to pull the trigger there.

[sdceltsfan]

The team is still winning without Bradley....not saying he's not missed, but Smart is definitely filling much his defensive void. Bummed that Brown is going to miss a week or two now, because getting him some more minutes at the two would really solidify my stance.

IT/Bradley/Crowder/Amir/Horford

or

IT/Smart/Crowder/Melo/Horford


You can't possibly say that you would rather have the first starting lineup over the 2nd going in to the playoffs.

[Big333223]

If Melo is OK with being the third option (I'd rather have Al Horford making plays as the #2) and OK with playing lots of PF, and can be got for as cheap as it seems, the C's would be smart to take a flier on him. But if he's going to want the star treatment and he's not willing to do everything the team needs of him, don't bother.

Agree with all but the bolded. Melo becomes your #2 option if hes here.

Melo would definitely be the second best scorer, but in terms of offensive options, I'd rather funnel the ball toward Horford second, given his passing ability.

And the only way the C's should bring in Melo is if it means not giving up any rotation players and no Brooklyn picks. I wouldn't even do Bradley for Melo straight up right now.

[SHAQATTACK]

Plan D

D= disaster

[Vermont Green]

IT/Bradley/Crowder/Amir/Horford
or
IT/Smart/Crowder/Melo/Horford

You can't possibly say that you would rather have the first starting lineup over the 2nd going in to the playoffs.

The Melo line up is a little better but the second unit would be down a little with Marcus starting.  Melo isn't really a PF so all in all the needle isn't moved all that much.  I think the Knicks would give up Melo without needing to include Bradley.  I think they would be thrilled with a couple of future draft picks.

[CoachBo]

Plan D

D= disaster

Right.

Plan B only if Ainge is criminally insane.