Melo Trade Thread - Sorry Melo, these are the breaks

[louieOrr]

How is Melo not being mature? He has a NTC and is using it. Right now he is telling the Knicks I will play for Houston - Cleveland or the Knicks. That is the option PHILLIP gave him. He has every right to use it. Just like a club has every right to trade a player he doesn't want to go if that player doesn't have a NTC. Melo got the NTC so he is using it.

Sure. The Kbicks have also every right to bench him, not play him etc. We'll see how mature he is then I guess. This is only going to get messier....

And how mature would the organization that is supposedly looking to establish a "winning culture" look if they did that? This is the same line as those that supported Larry Brown when he was screwing things up intentionally. Sure it would have been nice to get rid of Thomas but it also sets a tone that you are no better than the one you are trying to get rid of.

no doubt it wouldn't be a good look for the Knicks to bench him just for the sake of benching him. You don't have to bench him if he is aligned with the teams goals. We would love to use him as a Mentor in a reduced role so as allow development of our young core. We want to establish a culture of defense first. If he is not meeting that criteria than he is most certainly a detriment to the team. If he wants to utilize the last years of his prime he should try his best to do so. I think he should. Just not at our expense is all. I think BG is sayin if Melo wants to play hardball we can too. If the media wants to sensationalize that and make it our fault then so be it. It wouldn't be the truth.

[nedleeds]

I can see the interest in Lee considering what we have publically and how we signed THJ. That being said, it would take more than just Celts and Knicks to make it work since a trade between just the two of them wouldnt seem to work straight up.

This is just MY speculation But I think if the Knicks gave the Celtics Lee and a 1st we could get Jaylen & Smart.

We're about win 15 games. **** Jalen Brown. Let's get a top 3 pick.

[drekwins]

And how mature would the organization that is supposedly looking to establish a "winning culture" look if they did that? This is the same line as those that supported Larry Brown when he was screwing things up intentionally. Sure it would have been nice to get rid of Thomas but it also sets a tone that you are no better than the one you are trying to get rid of.

Mills didnt give Melo the NTC. They want to move him. Melo isnt willing to move. Mills is only responsible for putting the best product on the floor. He's not responsbilbe for Melo- Phil did that.

The Knicks organization is responsible for the stupid NTC that Anthony has. But even if Mills didn't give it to him doesn't mean that the Knicks can basically try to spite him (what's really happening here) for basically not giving them a way out of their own mistake. Anthony didn't give himself that NTC so punishing him for not basically doing the Knicks a favor is a bit childish.

You're acting as if the Knicks have won with Melo. If they won any time in the last 3 years, you may have a case. Melo isn't a winner anymore. There's no problem with sending an old diminished player to the bench. 33 for a non athletic guy is old. It's time.

[NBA Fan 1234]

Unless he's injured or being a detrement to the team, the Knicks cannot bench him, without being ready to have the NBAPA file a lawsuit on Melo's behalf. Do people not realize NBA Player's have a union, and that union is pretty powerful?????

The union can't force a team to play someone. There's no chance whatsoever a lawsuit happens over this. I took a class this past year on labor law taught by someone who used to work with the MLBPA...there's no chance it goes to court. What would the case even be over? Knicks wouldn't be withholding salary.

Only thing that may happen which I would be worried about is Silver coming down on us for intentionally throwing or tanking games...

Meh, I'm not worried about that. The league has never done anything about it in the past and starting now would be very bad precedent, IMO.

[moocow007]

The union can't force a team to play someone. There's no chance whatsoever a lawsuit happens over this. I took a class this past year on labor law taught by someone who used to work with the MLBPA...there's no chance it goes to court. What would the case even be over? Knicks wouldn't be withholding salary.

I'm not a lawyer and we've discuss law before, but my guess is, the union would argue that the benching is hurting Melo's value once he leaves the team due them not playing him.

In that scenario, all bench players would have a case. A lot of players would have more value if they play more minutes lol They can't sue if it's in the best interest of the Knicks. If it's discrimatory towards Melo, they'd have a case... but playing young guys makes sense.

But they don't. Certainly not on this low talented half baked team. If this was the Warriors then sure. But this isn't. Anthony is still among the tops in the teams in a lot of categories. We're not talking Mindaugus Kuzminskas or Lance Thomas here.

[NOOB77]

The union can't force a team to play someone. There's no chance whatsoever a lawsuit happens over this. I took a class this past year on labor law taught by someone who used to work with the MLBPA...there's no chance it goes to court. What would the case even be over? Knicks wouldn't be withholding salary.

I'm not a lawyer and we've discuss law before, but my guess is, the union would argue that the benching is hurting Melo's value once he leaves the team due them not playing him.

No breach of contract, damages too speculative (how would one calculate value / wages lost?), and courts (for the most part) stay out of sports things and only get involved when it's absolutely necessary. I'm telling you, dude, there's no case here.

Is there anything on his contract that could be performance based. Like all-star or all-nba teams. ect... I don't know if he would be due more money or eligible to make more money if he is on one of those teams.

[bigfnjoe96]

No breach of contract, damages too speculative (how would one calculate value / wages lost?), and courts (for the most part) stay out of sports things and only get involved when it's absolutely necessary. I'm telling you, dude, there's no case here.

I respect your clarity on this. My gut is just thinking, if we benched him, I can see the NBAPA somehow getting involved on his behalf. Maybe a grievance is more of what I'm thinking about

[BLACKFEET 2010]

How about:
Melo to Hou

Harkless, B.Knight, Vonleah, Quarterman and (Hou) 2020 unprotected 1st round pick and a pick swap option in 2021 to NYK

Ryan Anderson, Kyle O'Quinn to Phx

Dragan Bender, Orinaku and cash to PDX

And if we want Bledsoe I'm sure Phx would ask for both pick considerations from Houston. Mills says "no" and Knight becomes our starting pg.

Ryan Anderson does not fit our timeline but the guy isn't useless and in a NBA where fringe starters are getting near $20M a year he isn't an albatross for a team in need of shooting. I swear it's like anything having yo do with the Knicks is so magnified and criticized and everybody is out to fleece us but I think that's a fair trade. Houston gets their guy, we get a Horns and Scott P (he had a part in drafting him in Detroit) approved young pg to serve as placeholder during the suckage while Frank busts him up in practice. Phx gets a legit shooting big and a youngish but capable rotation big in Kyle (who we would have to pony up for after this year) and Portland gets a B level project in Bender who's underwhelmed so far and cuts salary some.

I'm not sure how close I am with the salary or even Houston's pick situation but tell me why this is such a bad deal for all four teams.

I mean this would not be bad per se, but Brandon Knight is an absolutely ugly PG (I mean play wise, not physically). I'd almost rather get face sat on by a 400lb woman who hasn't showered in weeks than have to watch Brandon Knight pretend to be a PG for 80 games.

Lmao I get it but if we asked for Bledsoe I'm sure they would want Houston's picks rerouted to them.
Brandon Knight put up good numbers with Horns and Scott played a part in sure in drafting him in Detroit.
When we look at what Jimmy B, CP3, etc were traded for, different situations granted, I don't see how we're in position to go "eww Brandon Knight" and stylistically he's not a terrible fit with a high IQ, pass first Frank.
The options of who can step in and help facilitate a Melo deal are drying up.

She could warsh her azz and I could get drunk as sheeyt and pretend she's Fantasia or something. It'll be dark, I can't tell the difference. But she gotta warsh her azz.

[NBA Fan 1234]

Mills didnt give Melo the NTC. They want to move him. Melo isnt willing to move. Mills is only responsible for putting the best product on the floor. He's not responsbilbe for Melo- Phil did that.

The Knicks organization is responsible for the stupid NTC that Anthony has. But even if Mills didn't give it to him doesn't mean that the Knicks can basically try to spite him (what's really happening here) for basically not giving them a way out of their own mistake. Anthony didn't give himself that NTC so punishing him for not basically doing the Knicks a favor is a bit childish.

You're acting as if the Knicks have won with Melo. If they won any time in the last 3 years, you may have a case. Melo isn't a winner anymore. There's no problem with sending an old diminished player to the bench. 33 for a non athletic guy is old. It's time.

I don't think he is acting that way at all. He's simply stating facts. The Knicks gave Melo the NTC to use at his discretion. Winning has nothing to do with it. Punishing someone because you can't get your way is the way 5 year olds think. He's under no obligation to waive his NTC, just like the Knicks are under no obligation to play him.

[moocow007]

Mills didnt give Melo the NTC. They want to move him. Melo isnt willing to move. Mills is only responsible for putting the best product on the floor. He's not responsbilbe for Melo- Phil did that.

The Knicks organization is responsible for the stupid NTC that Anthony has. But even if Mills didn't give it to him doesn't mean that the Knicks can basically try to spite him (what's really happening here) for basically not giving them a way out of their own mistake. Anthony didn't give himself that NTC so punishing him for not basically doing the Knicks a favor is a bit childish.

You're acting as if the Knicks have won with Melo. If they won any time in the last 3 years, you may have a case. Melo isn't a winner anymore. There's no problem with sending an old diminished player to the bench. 33 for a non athletic guy is old. It's time.

It's time for what? For the Knicks organization to pout like a child, stamp their feet and lash out at Anthony for their own stupidity? Just read what you are writing. You sound like a child upset that you didn't get to go do Disney and looking to get back at someone for it.

[thebuzzardman]

Knick fans waking up each day to Melo not traded

Watch on YouTube

[NBA Fan 1234]

I'm not a lawyer and we've discuss law before, but my guess is, the union would argue that the benching is hurting Melo's value once he leaves the team due them not playing him.

No breach of contract, damages too speculative (how would one calculate value / wages lost?), and courts (for the most part) stay out of sports things and only get involved when it's absolutely necessary. I'm telling you, dude, there's no case here.

Is there anything on his contract that could be performance based. Like all-star or all-nba teams. ect... I don't know if he would be due more money or eligible to make more money if he is on one of those teams.

Your guess is as good as mine. Usually those kinds of incentives are only there for young players hoping to prove something, reclamation projects, or fat players needing to keep weight off (see Boris Diaw's "wine clause"). Either way, the league / the courts can't force the teams to play someone.

No breach of contract, damages too speculative (how would one calculate value / wages lost?), and courts (for the most part) stay out of sports things and only get involved when it's absolutely necessary. I'm telling you, dude, there's no case here.

I respect your clarity on this. My gut is just thinking, if we benched him, I can see the NBAPA somehow getting involved on his behalf. Maybe a grievance is more of what I'm thinking about

Now a grievance I think could be possible, but I can't imagine it being more than a slap on the wrist and a mini fine...but that's only if he's benched. Michelle Roberts is amazing, but I don't think she can get a real penalty levied against anyone in this scenario.

[drekwins]

I'm not a lawyer and we've discuss law before, but my guess is, the union would argue that the benching is hurting Melo's value once he leaves the team due them not playing him.

In that scenario, all bench players would have a case. A lot of players would have more value if they play more minutes lol They can't sue if it's in the best interest of the Knicks. If it's discrimatory towards Melo, they'd have a case... but playing young guys makes sense.

But they don't. Certainly not on this low talented half baked team. If this was the Warriors then sure. But this isn't. Anthony is still among the tops in the teams in a lot of categories. We're not talking Mindaugus Kuzminskas or Lance Thomas here.

Nowhere is a rule that we have to play to win. There are unwritten rules that we can't play to lose. Success is measured in several ways besides the scoreboard. Player development, better free flowing offense, better defense, etc. Melo has good totals but so did Ricky Davis. We have to worry about the Knicks. Melo is going to be out of the league in 3 years. We wont be good for 3 years. We have to develop the guys that are most likely to contribute for us then. Melo doesn't fit.

He can waive his NTC or increase the list of teams. We are not entitled to do a bad trade just because Melo wants us to. We have a NTC too. Well deal him when it benefits us. None of us want this situation but Melo is a big contributor at this point. He's under contract.

[Dr. Detfink]

Shouldn't the title read: Them's the breaks?

Yeah. I can't be happier that the Knicks and Melo are stuck with each other.

[NoLayupRule]

god this is a boring and uninspiring offseason for the knicks

[drekwins]

The Knicks organization is responsible for the stupid NTC that Anthony has. But even if Mills didn't give it to him doesn't mean that the Knicks can basically try to spite him (what's really happening here) for basically not giving them a way out of their own mistake. Anthony didn't give himself that NTC so punishing him for not basically doing the Knicks a favor is a bit childish.

You're acting as if the Knicks have won with Melo. If they won any time in the last 3 years, you may have a case. Melo isn't a winner anymore. There's no problem with sending an old diminished player to the bench. 33 for a non athletic guy is old. It's time.

It's time for what? For the Knicks organization to pout like a child, stamp their feet and lash out at Anthony for their own stupidity? Just read what you are writing. You sound like a child upset that you didn't get to go do Disney and looking to get back at someone for it.

Who's pouting or lashing out? lol Not playing him big minutes isn't lashing out lol He doesn't fit... He can still be treated well and be a part of the team.
No one needs to say anything negative in the media. Until there's a beneficial deal, he's a valued bench player. Why would we have to do a deal that we don't want to do? When a player signs a contract, playing time isn't guaranteed. The Knicks have to do what's best for them... it's not about punishing Melo. It's about what's best for the Knicks...period.

[Jalen Bluntson]

20 pages and no actual deal to discuss. On top of how many previous pages of fan tweets and rumor twats.

There is no deal to discuss. There is no rush to make a trade. If Morey wants him bad enough...we will know soon enough.

Cleveland is staying out of it. Very odd.

Melo may be stuck playing a limited role this season. Sucks for him.

[NOOB77]

20 pages and no actual deal to discuss. On top of how many previous pages of fan tweets and rumor twats.

There is no deal to discuss. There is no rush to make a trade. If Morey wants him bad enough...we will know soon enough.

Cleveland is staying out of it. Very odd.

Melo may be stuck playing a limited role this season. Sucks for him.

I really think Cleveland isn't doing much of anything because they know LBJ isnt coming back. That is why no ring chasers are signing there. People like Jamal Crawford are going other places. They are basically doing nothing. Billups turnd it down. ect

[newyorker4ever]

I'm fine brining in Anderson for an assload of unprotected draft picks. It would be the nets Celtics heist all over again

Actually it would be nothing like the Celtics/Nets trade cause the Celtics got their picks from a team that was not only a lottery team every year but was one of the worst teams in the league if not the worst and Houston will be a top team which means our picks will be bottom of the 1st round.

[drekwins]

The Knicks organization is responsible for the stupid NTC that Anthony has. But even if Mills didn't give it to him doesn't mean that the Knicks can basically try to spite him (what's really happening here) for basically not giving them a way out of their own mistake. Anthony didn't give himself that NTC so punishing him for not basically doing the Knicks a favor is a bit childish.

You're acting as if the Knicks have won with Melo. If they won any time in the last 3 years, you may have a case. Melo isn't a winner anymore. There's no problem with sending an old diminished player to the bench. 33 for a non athletic guy is old. It's time.

I don't think he is acting that way at all. He's simply stating facts. The Knicks gave Melo the NTC to use at his discretion. Winning has nothing to do with it. Punishing someone because you can't get your way is the way 5 year olds think. He's under no obligation to waive his NTC, just like the Knicks are under no obligation to play him.

Wait, how is it punishing? The Knicks are under no obligation to waive their NTC if there's not a beneficial deal. He's under contract. What's the discussion here? It's not punishment...