Denver-NJ in "advanced" talks

[cochiseuofm]

Can someone explain to me what Denver could possibly gain from allowing Melo to meet with Dolan? Its not like he needs to be sold on the Knicks and convinced to sign the extension with them. The only thing they can convince him is to derail the deal with NJ (if there even is one).

I just dont get it. Last time the melodrama took off there was all these reports about the Nets jumping through hoops on Denvers whim, getting permission for a meeting, then not getting permission, then backing out. Now supposedly this is the 1st time they actually have a deal on the table that both sides agree on that just needs Melos OK, and they are allowing Melo to meet with NY? What the hell for exactly?

I think what most people this is if the decision is left up to Walsh, there is no way the Knicks trade a lot of assets for Carmelo right now like Denver wants. Letting Dolan screw up Walsh's strategy is potentially a genius move.

[cochiseuofm]

BTW I also believe 99% of every report which comes from an unnamed source is complete and utter BS. On one hand you have Bucher reporting Melo will sign with the Nets if Knicks don't make a deal for him, on the other you have Melo saying he has no meetings planned with Pro. I just can't believe how big the hype around this dragged-through-the-mud story is. Guarentee that any team which severely mortgages its future for Melo, like NJ is reported to do so, is going to regret it.

[macksunny]

I think what most people this is if the decision is left up to Walsh, there is no way the Knicks trade a lot of assets for Carmelo right now like Denver wants. Letting Dolan screw up Walsh's strategy is potentially a genius move.

See thats interesting. Trying to pin Dolan vs Walsh could be brilliant. But very unlikely to work imo. Even if it does, isn't it universally agreed that NJ has the better package even the the Knicks cave into what Den wants? I thought Den want to rebuild, getting 4 picks along with Favors beats getting Knicks starters and 1 pick, doesn't it?

[TheNewEra]

Watching the NBA TV interview with Melo he seems like he really is not sure where to go. This is a huge choice whatever team he goes to will get him in his prime.

[triplet1984]

Melo is not going to sacrifice all that money along with the uncertainty of a new CBA that is guaranteed to be worse for players than is now.

He is always going to sign, except he's bluffing and vacillating in hopes of trying to get Denver to trade him to NYK.

[killbuckner]

an someone explain to me what Denver could possibly gain from allowing Melo to meet with Dolan? Its not like he needs to be sold on the Knicks and convinced to sign the extension with them. The only thing they can convince him is to derail the deal with NJ (if there even is one).

Because it makes Dolan tell Carmelo face to face why the team won't give up Gallinari for Melo. ANd then Dolan would have to try and rationally explain why Carmelo should take 20 million less dollars so that the Knicks can keep his backup. Of course there isn't any rational explanation- basically the Knicks just wish that Carmelo would do that. But Carmelo going in will know the price that the Nuggets would accept in a trade with the Knicks. Carmelo will know that the Nets are already offering more than that so it wouldn't be a case of the Nuggets asking for too much. Carmelo would know he is far better than any of the roleplayers the Knicks are including so that would make him more frustrated with the Knicks.

[ropjhk]

nuggets have nothing to lose if they are truly willing to not do the knicks deal and just hang on to melo.

if melo is genuinely willing to go to free agency rather than accept a deal with the nets, then the nuggets are screwed either way. if however, melo truly is not willing to give up that extension and would consider the nets rather than go to free agency, he'll make the knicks aware of that and get them to increase their offer.

What do you mean they have nothing to lose? NY can convince Melo not to sign with the Nets and Denver will be forced to deal with NY for a smaller package. Or they can convince him to wait (not likely) and Nuggets can lose him for nothing.

The NY meeting will have to take place after the Prokorov meeting. After meeting with the Nets, Melo will have to decide if he's willing to play for them or not. Remember also that Melo is negotiating upon his behalf for an extension rather than having to sign as a free agent. Melo can use the threat of signing with the Nets as leverage to get NY to up their bid for him.

Is there a risk that NY might convince Melo that he should not sign with the Nets and that he should wait until free agency? Sure, of course. But considering that scenario has already been imagined to death, there may be nothing new that Walsh and Dolan can say, and the meeting may be more about Melo trying to convince NY to up their offer so that he can sign an extension before the new CBA.

[RocketPower23]

All this for a guy that is a fringe top 10 player in this league. The Nets should have their heads re-examined if they think this a good deal

[Harry_Seaward]

All this for a guy that is a fringe top 10 player in this league. The Nets should have their heads re-examined if they think this a good deal

Cause top 10 players are easy to come by?

Seriously.

Very hard to acquire superstar talent in this league, when you have the chance you have to jump on it.

[macksunny]

Because it makes Dolan tell Carmelo face to face why the team won't give up Gallinari for Melo. ANd then Dolan would have to try and rationally explain why Carmelo should take 20 million less dollars so that the Knicks can keep his backup. Of course there isn't any rational explanation- basically the Knicks just wish that Carmelo would do that. But Carmelo going in will know the price that the Nuggets would accept in a trade with the Knicks. Carmelo will know that the Nets are already offering more than that so it wouldn't be a case of the Nuggets asking for too much. Carmelo would know he is far better than any of the roleplayers the Knicks are including so that would make him more frustrated with the Knicks.

Ohh, please. Galinari is not the deal breaker here. The Nuggets want FOUR Knicks starters and 1 pick. Its easy to understand why the Knicks dont want the gut their whole team to get 1 guy. I'm sure Dolan wont have much of an issue telling Melo that, face to face or otherwise.

[Harry_Seaward]

I would give up Chandler, Galinari and Fields and a pick easily for Melo....

You can find those type of role guys, teams do it all the time, you aren't gonna find players like Anthony all the time, if ever.

[RocketPower23]

All this for a guy that is a fringe top 10 player in this league. The Nets should have their heads re-examined if they think this a good deal

Cause top 10 players are easy to come by?

Seriously.

Very hard to acquire superstar talent in this league, when you have the chance you have to jump on it.

I guess that's true, but listening to sports radio and the rest of the media lately making it seem like he's near the level of LeBron James. This whole thing is just annoying. I do think ir's unwise for New Jersey to throw everything they have at him, looking at the history of the NBA, when trading a star how often does a team give up this much. Poor choice IMO.

[macksunny]

The NY meeting will have to take place after the Prokorov meeting. After meeting with the Nets, Melo will have to decide if he's willing to play for them or not. Remember also that Melo is negotiating upon his behalf for an extension rather than having to sign as a free agent. Melo can use the threat of signing with the Nets as leverage to get NY to up their bid for him.

Is there a risk that NY might convince Melo that he should not sign with the Nets and that he should wait until free agency? Sure, of course. But considering that scenario has already been imagined to death, there may be nothing new that Walsh and Dolan can say, and the meeting may be more about Melo trying to convince NY to up their offer so that he can sign an extension before the new CBA.

Going by the reports from today. Knicks meeting is 1st, Nets meeting not even set yet. Melo playing dummy about both. But it really makes no difference who goes 1st. You're saying Melo can threaten to NY, but NY is not as invested in this as Den and NJ. Not getting Melo isn't the end of the world for them, gutting their whole team for Melo isn't the best scenario of them either. They probably have the most leverage out of the 3 imo. But on the other hand Melo can be convinced to threaten Denver and stop the NJ deal. I dont understand why Den would even take that chance.

[macksunny]

All this for a guy that is a fringe top 10 player in this league. The Nets should have their heads re-examined if they think this a good deal

Nets have little choice. Too much at stake for them. Allowing him to go to NY is worse then giving up all those picks.

[Harry_Seaward]

I often feel like the mistake made more often in this league is standing pat, and not taking chances. Coveting role players more then you should be.

What is New Jersey or New York doing really, trying to hold onto pieces that can be replaced... perhaps not easily but you can find them. Or you chance it and give away those pieces and in return get one of, if not THE most versatile scorer in the league today.


You get Melo and you have Amare...that gets you into the playoffs in the East. You're not winning a title this year but that's a very solid base.

[killbuckner]

Ohh, please. Galinari is not the deal breaker here.

Sure sounds like he is to me. The Nuggets really don't care about Chandler at all because he is going to be a free agent. Felton is only in the trade if Billups is going to be involved. Fields isn't enough by himself. To me its just a matter of whether the Knicks are willing to put Gallinari into the deal. And when it comes down to it I don't think that Carmelo would take 20 million less just so the Knicks can keep a backup SF.

[dockingsched]

nuggets have nothing to lose if they are truly willing to not do the knicks deal and just hang on to melo.

if melo is genuinely willing to go to free agency rather than accept a deal with the nets, then the nuggets are screwed either way. if however, melo truly is not willing to give up that extension and would consider the nets rather than go to free agency, he'll make the knicks aware of that and get them to increase their offer.

What do you mean they have nothing to lose? NY can convince Melo not to sign with the Nets and Denver will be forced to deal with NY for a smaller package. Or they can convince him to wait (not likely) and Nuggets can lose him for nothing.

i said they have nothing to lose IF they are willing to keep melo and not take the knicks offer.

[curryfrieddonut]

Ohh, please. Galinari is not the deal breaker here.

Sure sounds like he is to me. The Nuggets really don't care about Chandler at all because he is going to be a free agent. Felton is only in the trade if Billups is going to be involved. Fields isn't enough by himself. To me its just a matter of whether the Knicks are willing to put Gallinari into the deal. And when it comes down to it I don't think that Carmelo would take 20 million less just so the Knicks can keep a backup SF.

Yes, but what about when the Knicks want to go after that third all-star? I think if you told 'Melo that holding off on Gallo is important for: a) having a viable other option AND b) as a potential piece in another deal for a third all-star in a year or two, which will allow Melo to have the best of both worlds, he's got to understand the Knicks reluctance to trade all of their young stars away.

[illiance]

Personally I think in the end Gallinari will be included. When it comes down to it Carmelo isn't going to take 20 million less dollars just so the Knicks can have a better backup SF. I think he would take it as a slap in the face.

I completely agree but don't tell the Knicks fans this. They think he's on his way to being a superstar (just look at the "Is Gallo gonna be a star?" thread).

[killbuckner]

he's got to understand the Knicks reluctance to trade all of their young stars away.

LOL. Carmelo doesn't see Gallinari as a young star. He sees Gallinari as a good backup SF. Lebron took less money so he could play with Bosh and Wade. Carmelo isn't going to take less money just so the Knicks can keep a backup SF. Carmelo will think its a slap in the face that the Knicks wouldn't pull the trigger now if all they have to do is put in a backup SF who isn't half the player that Carmelo is.

And honestly Carmelo will be absolutely correct. Why should he be on board with taking 20 million dollars less in this situation? Carmelo isn't going to look at Gallinari as the missing piece.