kmsmith5 wrote:The downside of Melo's contract is being overstated by Eneretic. I know my cap very well actually. So here's why I think even overpaying Melo is worth it.
1) You're just not going to get a better player in the next few years other than Paul.(and Anthony could help lure him)
2) if your cap number is over $52mil.(within $6mil. of the cap) then you're buying power is the same. You would have the MLE to offer to outside players. Carmelo wouldn't start adding to buying power until after his 2011-2012 salary dips below about $16mil. Basically, if his salary is $12mil. you could offer $10mil. to a FA.
3)2011 is the last summer before Brook will get a new contract/extension, so it's probably the last chance to add an impact FA using cap space anyway.
4)You're looking at a choice between Carmelo and an MLE player vs. Favors, draft pick(s) and Free Agent X. The decision really hinges on who you think Free Agent X will be. I just don't think the options this summer are too appealing other than Melo.
5) As for 2012 and beyond, Paul will probably be in this same situation come next year. That's why I think swapping Harris sometime this season (hopefully when his value is highest) for a veteran PG like Andre Miller or Chauncey Billups +draft pick would be ideal. This would give NJ an expiring and asset to swap for Paul if he starts to look elsewhere.
THis is just a mish mash of nonsense. Dont say wth authority you know what you are talking about and then prove you dont.
First off we are in line to have an easy 20mil in salary cap space this summer. Whether we use it or not...we are not looking at Melo or an MLE...so shut up if you arent going to do your homework.
Next...who in their right mind deliberartely gives away a 27 year old top 10 NBA PG to turn him into a 34 year old expiring contract and acts like THAT is the prime key to landing someone else superstar?!!! I would deal Harris...no problem. And I would take back Billups in a deal with Melo if it were possible to keep a prospect out of the deal like Favors because it gave them added cap relief. But to say...hey lets TARGET THAT deal after we give up our best prospects in the Melo deal because NO would love to have 35 year old Billups next season over say Favors in a package. Or Devin in a package. Nonsense.
As for Brooks 2012 extension...so that means we have 2 years to make moves. And you propose that our 12 win team gut its best assets to commit cap at all cost for 22mil to one guy...which will insure nothing but MLE's after that. It projects out as a....35-40 wins and at best one round and out of the playoffs. That of course means medicore picks. Now is it truly our last chance to add a star? And is this star at 22mil, all our cap flexibility, a huge dent in our youth movement worth it? Well, timing wise...what's the rush? Is that building a contending team? You didnt make it easier to get Paul ifwe overpay for Melo with trade assets and available cap room. You made it harder. When Paul is a free agent in 2012...and Brook is up for extension...would we have the cap space as Melo enters a year looking like 25 mil on the books?
Maybe you didnt notice the team the Heat put together...but I will tell you what...there is NO RUSH here. Loaded with 19-23 year olds...we could take the next few years to develop and continue slow building...and if the opportunity arises signs a big free agent. We have that much flexibility and that much time. Its a superstars league. No question. But the best way to go get them? DRAFT THEM with your top 5 pick. Everyone loves what the Thunder did but no one wants to be patient enough to do it. That's a nice stockpile of top draft talent all together.
Paying that much of your cap to one player is all well and fine when it is ON TOP of other key pieces. You hace Pierce, Allen, and Rondo....and you can add KG to the mix? You do it. You have Dwight Howard and bunch of quality guys who fill their roles....and you think overpaying Rashard Lewis takes you to contender level? It doesnt cost you core players....JUST the cash? OK. Bad trade long term...but short term Its the big piece ON TOP of what you have. But...add the big piece first...PAY HIM the big bucks...anf you are KG's Twolves for the next 5-6 years on your way back to being a terrible team when you cant add more. The big piece for big bucks without enough around him doesnt work in the NBA with the way the cap is structured. There is a timing for these things. THis isnt baseball where you say...you HAVE to get that guy...at all costs fix it next summer. Each move blocks the next set of moves. Melo is a very good player. Not top 10...but top 20, maybe top 15. But is he worth 40% of your cap? Hell no! And I say that as a fan. A die hard CUSE fan.
In a world where Lebron, Wade, Paul, Bosh all make around 14mil...22mil is absurd. Especially if its at the expense of so many supporting pieces. I want the guy if like the Nix or Bulls...we can say...NAH...not giving up THESE guys. And THESE guys for me are Brook and Favors. I would work with just about any other combo. Take back an added contract....use other prospects, send out Devin and or Troy...fine. But not Favors...not Brook. Regardless of how good they may or not become...they are our assets to either help us on the court...or in another deal. Deal either...and we will move to the middle...the worst place in the NBA...and die there. THE END of the rebuild.
Not interested. Rather grab top lotto talent and slow grow my own team of the next Portland or Thunder...or just one Melo, Paul, Lebron, Durant, Wade, Bosh under a 5 year rookie contract window. Its smarter longer lasting....better upside solution. And as far as how much time there is to trade for someone big?
When you have the most assets in the league...you will get into every trade conversation. And in the NBA...wait 5 minutes someone else becomes available.