What would you guys give up for Melo?

[Jetset]

Conveniently, Lin's max salary next yr is 5 mil

According to larry coon, teams with the capspace can backload a multiyear contract with substantial raises after the 2nd yr, e.g. 4 year 40 mil contract: Roughly 5, 5, 15, 15

In fact, this is exactly what the Raptors plan to do.

[milesfides]

If the Knicks don't want to match big offers for Lin, they can sign and trade him. They'll be pretty heavy in lux tax soon with melo amare and chandler. If Knicks get cold feet, a sign and trade could be a good way to get something in return for Lin. Sessions may not be a bad replacement, although also is free agent and he's having a terrible playoffs.

[chales_zed]

If the Knicks don't want to match big offers for Lin, they can sign and trade him. They'll be pretty heavy in lux tax soon with melo amare and chandler. If Knicks get cold feet, a sign and trade could be a good way to get something in return for Lin. Sessions may not be a bad replacement, although also is free agent and he's having a terrible playoffs.

I don't think the Knicks can sign and trade Lin. Funnily enough when he was waived by the Rockets I was hoping the Lakers would pick him up because of the PG situation here. Having two ultra clutch wings in Kobe and Lin coupled with a front-court of Gasol, Bynum and Artest would have been quite the sight. Linsanity wouldn't of happened but Sessions' absenteeism in the play-offs wouldn't have happened either and who knows, maybe Lin could have inspired Bynum to play with a little heart like he inspired the entire Knicks squad. Lin made Novak and had Jeffries & Lin both not gotten injured he probably would have inflated his value too.

Carmelo doesn't work on the Lakers if there's Kobe. Melo is a great player but his ISO possessions are problematic and he's very mediocre on the perimeter. I'd be looking to get value out of Gasol, I think LA is going to move Gasol this off-season, management really looks to be hellbent on getting a head start on reconstructing for the new CBA & post-Kobe future.

[milesfides]

I don't think the Knicks can sign and trade Lin.

Yes, this is true, Knicks can't sign and trade Lin if they match an offer sheet, nor if they signed straight up with the non taxpayer MLE. So no way Lin comes to L.A. this summer.

But the Lakers can trade for Lin by I believe December 15.

*Edit: If the Knicks are successful in their appeal to gain bird rights for Lin, then I believe they can sign and trade him this summer.

[Jajwanda]

I don't think you guys appreciate just how good Melo is at PF. He's a totally different player and he's actually very good stopping P and R play from there. If you put Melo at PF.

PG- Sessions, Morris
SG- Bryant, Goudelock
SF- Metta, Ebanks
PF- Melo
C- Bynum, Hill

That group is DANGEROUS. Every night you can pick and choose mismatches to post up. If a team plays you small at SG, Kobe can post up. If they play small at SF, Metta can post up. If they try to play Carmelo with a true power forward, Carmelo will face-up. If they play him with a SF, he'll post them up.

The possibilities are endless on offense and with the speed difference on the P and R it improves the defense.

[chefy]

what we need is another allstar that can create his own shots. im done with bynum and gasol. they can coexist sure, they have the talent to work together true. but the question is can we maximized both of them? and the thing is in order for us to win a championship we need to maximized both players talent. not gonna happen. they have done it in some games yep but not consistently.

and also, i know its sad but we have to accept the fact that kobe alone is not gonna do it anymore. melo is exactly what we need. hes still pretty young, has a superstar talent, can create his own shot, a great shooter, and his value is low right now. he just need a guy like kobe to mentor him, he maybe sucking now but like I said he has superstar talent/skills.