RealGM

Getting expirings is unlikely but is there a team willing to trade a bunch of 18-19 dead weight?

Depends on what the Suns are actually trying to accomplish this season, Tank or Compete.

Suns could offer up Monroes expiring straight up.

But then again, he still has the no-trade clause and can block any move, right?

Not happening. He still has his NTC.

Trade him to the Warriors to make the league competitive.

Wade - Chicago is the path it might follow if things don't go well for OKC this summer.

If Melo waives his NTC, Portland is a possibility. I think Jazz could also go for him, they need scoring and they can hide him on defense.

Rockets. Maybe all this LBJ to Rockets talk is real. Rockets brass would have to get a strong indication that Melo in efforts to get the banana boat together, would opt out and re-sign for dollars that would allow LBJ and Paul to sign new contracts as well (with Wade signing for some kind of minimum or exception).

With that said, Rockets got a good thing going. Not sure he want to rock the boat.

Melo + Ferguson for Anderson + Tucker (Tucker contract is really starting to look bad)

Rockets in offseason can trade Gordon for cap space and some kind of rookie or asset.

Melo & LBJ & Paul all take 1+1 to form Banana Boat team (Wade on minimum or exception to be 6th man). Capela re-signs after the Banana boat crew joins team.

Capela
Melo
LBJ
Harden
Paul
6: Wade

At this point, the Clippers for Gallo but that's a real long shot.

Chandler + Faried for Melo

Miami has always been a destination that may suit Melo: playing small ball 4 next to Whiteside would be appealing, we would have the defensive players to put around him, Spo could help him refine Olympics Melo level efficiency, and he could help attract other stars.

No idea what we could trade that wouldn't gut the team and make him not want to come here, though. Most of the pieces would end with longer contracts and possibly not be as enticing to OKC.

Other Heat fans will come in and kill this anyway, Melo is much maligned on the Heat boards - but I've always had a soft spot for him.

Edit:
Melo for JJ/Ellington/Hammons works in the checker after Dec 15.
It saves OKC about $5m this year (plus tax payments) and has a $6m expiring. JJ can possibly play a better complimentary role between Brodie/PG/Adams, but SG is still a weakness that would need to be addressed in FA - Ellington would add shooting at that spot for the rest of the season though.
For the Heat it gets them an all-star drawcard, which Riley likes to build around. He's not the best fit with Waiters, but having Dragic/Waiters/Melo/Whiteside is a good start and if Winslow keeps progressing and shooting consistently that could be enough to get us out of the first round - if we can get up high enough to not be playing Celtics or Cavs.

I'm so down on TT and want LeBron to stay with Cavs, but it just doesn't feel right to swap TT for Melo. If OKC takes Shumps contract and we can find a good defensive C for that extra 2nd we got from the Celtics, than I might start to feel a bit better about it.

rugbyrugger23 wrote: (Tucker contract is really starting to look bad)

Wut. Their best lineup (which they've barely used, saving for playoffs) is with him at center. He's been as good as one could've expected

If you have a Cleaningtheglass.com subscription, read the latest article about PJ Tucker. He's been great and the last year is only $2M guaranteed

I don't think Melo has any positive trade value really...especially after the way he has been playing so far this year.

I am not sure if Houston wants him and they probably shouldn't finer with what is looking like a pretty successful team thus far, but if they want to get some cap space for next year (if Melo agrees to opt out?) Ryan Anderson and Troy Williams for Melo and a future protected first or something like that might be fair.

He has a no trade clause so

Cavs


Rockets

Maybe blazers

Portland seems like the only possibility. Some combination of Turner, Leonard, Harkless, and Davis.

OKC needs bodies that can contribute. Portland wants to rid itself of bad contracts and wanted Melo in the offseason.

Or Portland could go all in and give OKC some contracts and multiple future firsts for Melo and George.

Leonard, Aminu, Davis makes some sense, but it's not enough outgoing salary for the Blazers, and OKC wouldn't take on more long term salary than that.

GIMME_DATT wrote:He has a no trade clause so

Cavs


Rockets

Maybe blazers

Yeah just take the Cavs off the list.

Laimbeer wrote:Or Portland could go all in and give OKC some contracts and multiple future firsts for Melo and George.

that would be utter stupidity for Por and cap off the "summer of 16" spending binge, not say our GM would not do it unfortunately

Random ideas:

TT, Korver for Melo

Leuer, Boban, Ish for Melo, Huestis

Asik, Moore, Ajinca for Melo, Huestis

Telly, Snell, DJ for Melo, Huestis

Ryno, Black, 1st for Melo

Chandler, Faried, Beasley for Melo

Turner, Aminu, Davis, Swanigan for Melo, Singler