Carmelo Anthony Thread (Merging)

[kmsmith5]

In a microcosm, just look at how this thread exploded and more importantly look at how even some of the more reserved posters on this board that have been preaching contender and agreeing with us about the proper way to rebuild, whether slow or through blockbuster trade, have instantly done a complete 360 and are screaming in delight simply because of the excitement of almost acquiring Melo.

So they haven't changed their opinion one bit?

[enetric]

Technically I said I don't love you because I don't love Sebustian Telfail. Long story short, that was my way of saying you can keep dreaming about mikhailjordan in a princess leia outfit grinding up on your jabba the butt, but it's not going to happen E

The fact that you can even put all of that together...clearly shows what you are thinking about at night. You know...when you arent wearing your Star Wars footy PJ's.


Geek...

[kmsmith5]

kmsmith,

Whether or not Chris Paul demands a trade is really questionable at best. Recent reports suggest that he is happy in New Orleans.


I believe that the Nets are putting themselves in the best position to win by acquiring Melo. He may be able to lead a team to the playoffs in the East almost single handedly. That is the kind of talent Melo possesses.

The Nets have some quality pieces in place who may be able to stick it out with the team in the longrun. I really like Outlaw as a prime candidate for a breakout season. Damion James should have a surprise season as well.

Speculating on ANY other star player is questionable at best. At some point Paul and Dwill are going to have to decide, and if Melo is on the Knicks with Amare it will be a no brainer.

People need to learn how to do cap math.

I know how to do cap math. I said previously that Paul or DWILL would probably be moved in a trade so no cap space needed. Why don't you ever propose anything yourself? Instead you just shoot down every idea even when it's not what the person meant at all.

It's you who has been saying there will be no cap space if the Melo deal goes through which is incorrect. maybe you should do some cap math.

[enetric]

I think us "old" posters just need to find us a team with a better GM and a better direction...

Lets see what happens. But I hear Philly would welcome us. Turner and Stethornski? A nice start.

[vincecarter4pres]

It amazes me how you dont see it. Its not getting the player. ITS WHEN YOU GET HIM that matters.

We got Kidd for Marbury. But we had...a #1 pick in year two, a former #2 pick a few years in...We turned the #7 pick into three guys....and we were on our way.

And you know what? Kidd wasnt making 40% of our cap when we got him. What I do know is..you string together a few top lottery picks? You have a great chance of having a nucleus of all stars making COMBINED less than what Melo gets. I am talking Favors, Brook and two more...and there goes Twill too...rook contracts. Then you go shopping. THEN you trade for or sign with all that cap room...AND THEN...when those contracts are up...PROKY'S money matters. Because NOW...we are capped out with our own guys up for free agency and an OWNER wiling tto pay to go way over.

Cap out the team first without the pieces...and that's that.

And I was not talking about 5 more years. I am talking about two more.

And one other thing? Your logic...about doing it NOW...and throwing it all away...with limitted leverage? Yo know who said that? Nix fans when they got Curry andf Crawford. And Marbury. And Francis. And Zach...and so on and on....

And you know what? The STILL didnt win. 10 years and counting.....

Be careful what you wish for. We absolutely HAVE to follow this up with a lopsided trade in our favor talent wise. If not...it will be going no where.

And you wont admit it. You will defend it a few years later and say...at least we tried. And I will laugh and say...no we didnt. We took the easy way out...and I could see where it was going ahead of time. Only the big follow up trade that alludes most teams can save this move.

If the rumors are true, then NJ will still have all of it's own picks. The GSW pick might not even be conveyed this year, or converted into 2 2nd rounders eventually. There's still flexibility with Murphy's expiring or about $10mil. in cap space if the cap remains at $58mil.. There's no one worthy of a max deal this summer anyway, so the only difference is Favors and the draft position for upcoming years. So what you're telling me is you'd rather tank and get top 5 picks? hope Favors is a star? hope for another last-place season(s)? hope the ping pong balls land the right way? hope the right draft choice is made? Because that strategy rarely works. You conveniently picked POR and OKC as examples of how to do it, but what about the Clippers? what about the Wolves? what about the Grizzlies? All of the worst teams in the league have been drafting high for years, and where has it gotten them?
You just want to complain that you got a star player by pointing out his flaws, saying his contract will cripple the team, and claim that they gave up too much. ANY team would take Melo right now for 22mil./yr. as long as the owner could afford it. You know why? because the NBA has a soft cap and good players can be traded for expiring contracts. Even though it's not the case for the Nets, being over the cap isn't the end of the world.

There is SO MUCH irony in this post I almost feel like I shouldn't give you the respect of anything more then this sentence, but...

Please tell me first how you got Melo.

Then tell me how you got Kenyon Martin and Andre Miller, the latter of which got you A.I., who in turn got you Chauncy Billups.

Then tell me how you got McDyess and then tell me how you got Nene.

That's as deep as I'm going into this one, just too silly and filled with hole based, flawed logic along with complete ignorance of the obvious at work here...

[enetric]

It amazes me how you dont see it. Its not getting the player. ITS WHEN YOU GET HIM that matters.

We got Kidd for Marbury. But we had...a #1 pick in year two, a former #2 pick a few years in...We turned the #7 pick into three guys....and we were on our way.

And you know what? Kidd wasnt making 40% of our cap when we got him. What I do know is..you string together a few top lottery picks? You have a great chance of having a nucleus of all stars making COMBINED less than what Melo gets. I am talking Favors, Brook and two more...and there goes Twill too...rook contracts. Then you go shopping. THEN you trade for or sign with all that cap room...AND THEN...when those contracts are up...PROKY'S money matters. Because NOW...we are capped out with our own guys up for free agency and an OWNER wiling tto pay to go way over.

Cap out the team first without the pieces...and that's that.

And I was not talking about 5 more years. I am talking about two more.

And one other thing? Your logic...about doing it NOW...and throwing it all away...with limitted leverage? Yo know who said that? Nix fans when they got Curry andf Crawford. And Marbury. And Francis. And Zach...and so on and on....

And you know what? The STILL didnt win. 10 years and counting.....

Be careful what you wish for. We absolutely HAVE to follow this up with a lopsided trade in our favor talent wise. If not...it will be going no where.

And you wont admit it. You will defend it a few years later and say...at least we tried. And I will laugh and say...no we didnt. We took the easy way out...and I could see where it was going ahead of time. Only the big follow up trade that alludes most teams can save this move.

If the rumors are true, then NJ will still have all of it's own picks. The GSW pick might not even be conveyed this year, or converted into 2 2nd rounders eventually. There's still flexibility with Murphy's expiring or about $10mil. in cap space if the cap remains at $58mil.. There's no one worthy of a max deal this summer anyway, so the only difference is Favors and the draft position for upcoming years. So what you're telling me is you'd rather tank and get top 5 picks? hope Favors is a star? hope for another last-place season(s)? hope the ping pong balls land the right way? hope the right draft choice is made? Because that strategy rarely works. You conveniently picked POR and OKC as examples of how to do it, but what about the Clippers? what about the Wolves? what about the Grizzlies? All of the worst teams in the league have been drafting high for years, and where has it gotten them?
You just want to complain that you got a star player by pointing out his flaws, saying his contract will cripple the team, and claim that they gave up too much. ANY team would take Melo right now for 22mil./yr. as long as the owner could afford it. You know why? because the NBA has a soft cap and good players can be traded for expiring contracts. Even though it's not the case for the Nets, being over the cap isn't the end of the world.

Wolves havent been drafting high for years in fact they didnt have draft picks for years....thanks Joe Smith. But Love was pretty good. I dont know what to expect from Wes, and most think Rubio is all that. Give them two more years and ultimate cap flexibility? Could turn around if they stop loading up on PG's.

Memphis has paid dumb money to dumb players but Gay and Mayo werent bad moves. Should have stayed the course with that..

The Clips have made a mockery out of their draft choices like NO other team in NBA history.

As for us...it comes down to Troy's contract. Can we parlay it into much better. If not? THen what. Please look at the payroll beyond this year and add raises in. Soft cap works grsat when you add the 22mil guy LAST. Se Boston. See Orlando. But when its first without picks and trade assets around...see MINNY the KG years. And Melo AINT KG.

[kmsmith5]

It amazes me how you dont see it. Its not getting the player. ITS WHEN YOU GET HIM that matters.

We got Kidd for Marbury. But we had...a #1 pick in year two, a former #2 pick a few years in...We turned the #7 pick into three guys....and we were on our way.

And you know what? Kidd wasnt making 40% of our cap when we got him. What I do know is..you string together a few top lottery picks? You have a great chance of having a nucleus of all stars making COMBINED less than what Melo gets. I am talking Favors, Brook and two more...and there goes Twill too...rook contracts. Then you go shopping. THEN you trade for or sign with all that cap room...AND THEN...when those contracts are up...PROKY'S money matters. Because NOW...we are capped out with our own guys up for free agency and an OWNER wiling tto pay to go way over.

Cap out the team first without the pieces...and that's that.

And I was not talking about 5 more years. I am talking about two more.

And one other thing? Your logic...about doing it NOW...and throwing it all away...with limitted leverage? Yo know who said that? Nix fans when they got Curry andf Crawford. And Marbury. And Francis. And Zach...and so on and on....

And you know what? The STILL didnt win. 10 years and counting.....

Be careful what you wish for. We absolutely HAVE to follow this up with a lopsided trade in our favor talent wise. If not...it will be going no where.

And you wont admit it. You will defend it a few years later and say...at least we tried. And I will laugh and say...no we didnt. We took the easy way out...and I could see where it was going ahead of time. Only the big follow up trade that alludes most teams can save this move.

If the rumors are true, then NJ will still have all of it's own picks. The GSW pick might not even be conveyed this year, or converted into 2 2nd rounders eventually. There's still flexibility with Murphy's expiring or about $10mil. in cap space if the cap remains at $58mil.. There's no one worthy of a max deal this summer anyway, so the only difference is Favors and the draft position for upcoming years. So what you're telling me is you'd rather tank and get top 5 picks? hope Favors is a star? hope for another last-place season(s)? hope the ping pong balls land the right way? hope the right draft choice is made? Because that strategy rarely works. You conveniently picked POR and OKC as examples of how to do it, but what about the Clippers? what about the Wolves? what about the Grizzlies? All of the worst teams in the league have been drafting high for years, and where has it gotten them?
You just want to complain that you got a star player by pointing out his flaws, saying his contract will cripple the team, and claim that they gave up too much. ANY team would take Melo right now for 22mil./yr. as long as the owner could afford it. You know why? because the NBA has a soft cap and good players can be traded for expiring contracts. Even though it's not the case for the Nets, being over the cap isn't the end of the world.

There is SO MUCH irony in this post I almost feel like I shouldn't give you the respect of anything more then this sentence, but...

Please tell me first how you got Melo.

Then tell me how you got Kenyon Martin and Andre Miller, the latter of which got you A.I., who in turn got you Chauncy Billups.

Then tell me how you got McDyess and then tell me how you got Nene.

That's as deep as I'm going into this one, just too silly and filled with hole based, flawed logic along with complete ignorance of the obvious at work here...

Draft picks, which NJ would still have in the proposed trade.

[vincecarter4pres]

Draft picks, which NJ would still have in the proposed trade.

I honestly don't know if this is a sarcastic joke or if you're serious?

[kmsmith5]

It amazes me how you dont see it. Its not getting the player. ITS WHEN YOU GET HIM that matters.

We got Kidd for Marbury. But we had...a #1 pick in year two, a former #2 pick a few years in...We turned the #7 pick into three guys....and we were on our way.

And you know what? Kidd wasnt making 40% of our cap when we got him. What I do know is..you string together a few top lottery picks? You have a great chance of having a nucleus of all stars making COMBINED less than what Melo gets. I am talking Favors, Brook and two more...and there goes Twill too...rook contracts. Then you go shopping. THEN you trade for or sign with all that cap room...AND THEN...when those contracts are up...PROKY'S money matters. Because NOW...we are capped out with our own guys up for free agency and an OWNER wiling tto pay to go way over.

Cap out the team first without the pieces...and that's that.

And I was not talking about 5 more years. I am talking about two more.

And one other thing? Your logic...about doing it NOW...and throwing it all away...with limitted leverage? Yo know who said that? Nix fans when they got Curry andf Crawford. And Marbury. And Francis. And Zach...and so on and on....

And you know what? The STILL didnt win. 10 years and counting.....

Be careful what you wish for. We absolutely HAVE to follow this up with a lopsided trade in our favor talent wise. If not...it will be going no where.

And you wont admit it. You will defend it a few years later and say...at least we tried. And I will laugh and say...no we didnt. We took the easy way out...and I could see where it was going ahead of time. Only the big follow up trade that alludes most teams can save this move.

If the rumors are true, then NJ will still have all of it's own picks. The GSW pick might not even be conveyed this year, or converted into 2 2nd rounders eventually. There's still flexibility with Murphy's expiring or about $10mil. in cap space if the cap remains at $58mil.. There's no one worthy of a max deal this summer anyway, so the only difference is Favors and the draft position for upcoming years. So what you're telling me is you'd rather tank and get top 5 picks? hope Favors is a star? hope for another last-place season(s)? hope the ping pong balls land the right way? hope the right draft choice is made? Because that strategy rarely works. You conveniently picked POR and OKC as examples of how to do it, but what about the Clippers? what about the Wolves? what about the Grizzlies? All of the worst teams in the league have been drafting high for years, and where has it gotten them?
You just want to complain that you got a star player by pointing out his flaws, saying his contract will cripple the team, and claim that they gave up too much. ANY team would take Melo right now for 22mil./yr. as long as the owner could afford it. You know why? because the NBA has a soft cap and good players can be traded for expiring contracts. Even though it's not the case for the Nets, being over the cap isn't the end of the world.

Wolves havent been drafting high for years in fact they didnt have draft picks for years....thanks Joe Smith. But Love was pretty good. I dont know what to expect from Wes, and most think Rubio is all that. Give them two more years and ultimate cap flexibility? Could turn around if they stop loading up on PG's.

Memphis has paid dumb money to dumb players but Gay and Mayo werent bad moves. Should have stayed the course with that..

The Clips have made a mockery out of their draft choices like NO other team in NBA history.

As for us...it comes down to Troy's contract. Can we parlay it into much better. If not? THen what. Please look at the payroll beyond this year and add raises in. Soft cap works grsat when you add the 22mil guy LAST. Se Boston. See Orlando. But when its first without picks and trade assets around...see MINNY the KG years. And Melo AINT KG.

Am I missing something? Doesn't the proposed trade have NJ keeping all of their own picks? Why do you keep saying there will be no picks left or trade assets or cap space? There would be at least $10mil in cap space based on the current $58mil cap if Augustin is included and retained.

[enetric]

Whether or not Chris Paul demands a trade is really questionable at best. Recent reports suggest that he is happy in New Orleans.


I believe that the Nets are putting themselves in the best position to win by acquiring Melo. He may be able to lead a team to the playoffs in the East almost single handedly. That is the kind of talent Melo possesses.

The Nets have some quality pieces in place who may be able to stick it out with the team in the longrun. I really like Outlaw as a prime candidate for a breakout season. Damion James should have a surprise season as well.

Speculating on ANY other star player is questionable at best. At some point Paul and Dwill are going to have to decide, and if Melo is on the Knicks with Amare it will be a no brainer.

People need to learn how to do cap math.

I know how to do cap math. I said previously that Paul or DWILL would probably be moved in a trade so no cap space needed. Why don't you ever propose anything yourself? Instead you just shoot down every idea even when it's not what the person meant at all.

It's you who has been saying there will be no cap space if the Melo deal goes through which is incorrect. maybe you should do some cap math.

Little fella...I have proposed more trades than you have posts.

I spoke to the trade possibilities and realities of those guys. and spoke to the possibility of what deals can happen or free agent moves. And Spoke thwat cap speace we would have. My cap math point was about you saying Paul would DECIDE to go to the Nix with Amare and Melo. That if Melo is traded there...its a no brainer. HE DECIDES to go there. That means SIGN right????? So???? You know cap math??? See where I am leading you?

By 2012...Amare and Melo making 42mil combined. I am guessing your though is...Knicks plan to have those two and only those two by then? Do a Heat move? I think that's a great plan. But say we have Melo? How does he DECIDE to get here????? Working that same plan?

[vincecarter4pres]

Am I missing something? There would be at least $10mil in cap space based on the current $58mil cap if Augustin is included and retained.

In what year and season? Am I missing something?!

It always amazes me with posters like you.

You claim over and over to understand and have knowledge of the salary cap, both in general as in the rules of the CBA and specifically, as in teams exact caps.

Then it turns out you know nothing and constantly talk out of your brown eye.


You know what? If you're a casual fan that doesn't know a lot, I don't hold a lot against you, it's cool. But when you're some self proclaimed B Ball guy that says he knows his stuff and turns out to be about as smart and savvy as Rob Babcock after a Phish concert... I mean...

[enetric]

You said...constantly talk out of your bown eye....

Congrats...that was the SECRET PHRASE of the night!

[vincecarter4pres]

You said...constantly talk out of your bown eye....

Congrats...that was the SECRET PHRASE of the night!

[vincecarter4pres]

So I just figured I would go out all Hiroshima style on this thread...



Follow up trade (December 15th):

Nets send:
Travis Outlaw
Jordan Farmar
Johan Petro
Stephen Graham

Bullets send:
Gilbert Arenas


Oh you knew it was coming...

Now obviously this kills most all hope for Chris Paul or Deron Williams, but it seems like an impatient and impulsive Billy King style move.
Sure it's a ton of long term salary to take on, but we also send out a lot.

Melo/Brook/Arenas as the Nets new Big 3 and we keep the rest of our assets...

[vincecarter4pres]

BTW, I was thinking about the main pieces in the widely proposed deal and aside from attempting to hold on to a starting quality power forward, it's pretty obvious to me the Nets value DJ Augustin higher then Devin Harris in general or they would probably attempt to hold onto Devin, figuring in the reported proposals Devin has no bearing on Denver's return.

[kmsmith5]

Am I missing something? There would be at least $10mil in cap space based on the current $58mil cap if Augustin is included and retained.

In what year and season? Am I missing something?!

It always amazes me with posters like you.

You claim over and over to understand and have knowledge of the salary cap, both in general as in the rules of the CBA and specifically, as in teams exact caps.

Then it turns out you know nothing and constantly talk out of your brown eye.


You know what? If you're a casual fan that doesn't know a lot, I don't hold a lot against you, it's cool. But when you're some self proclaimed B Ball guy that says he knows his stuff and turns out to be about as smart and savvy as Rob Babcock after a Phish concert... I mean...

to answer your question, summer 2011. Before I back up what I said let me point out that you continue to attack me and not my arguement. It's what us educated folk call an "ad hominem" arguement. From the latin meaning "to the man".

After rumored trade : http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachi ... Id=26274xc

remaining guaranteed contracts for 2011-2012 season

assuming: http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-contrac ... 65&years=3 (for Carmelo's deal)

Carmelo Anthony $20,000,000
Travis Outlaw $7,000,000
Anthony Morrow $4,000,000
Jordan Farmar $4,000,000
D.J. Augustin $3,236,470
Johan Petro $3,250,000
Brook Lopez $3,076,983
Terrence Williams $2,369,040
Damion James $1,243,080
Total $48,175,573
plus cap holds $1,500,000
cap number $49,675,575

That leaves $8,324,425 in cap space if 2010 salary cap of $58,000,000 is used
If D.J. Augustin is not included in deal or his option is not picked up (I believe it needs to be decided by Oct.30) it would leave $11,060,895 in cap space.

for salaries: http://shamsports.com/content/pages/dat ... s/nets.jsp

I could have made a mistake in there. Go ahead and point it out, but don't just say I don't know what I'm talking about and try to be funny by saying "brown eye".

[jman3134]

kmsmith,

Whether or not Chris Paul demands a trade is really questionable at best. Recent reports suggest that he is happy in New Orleans.


I believe that the Nets are putting themselves in the best position to win by acquiring Melo. He may be able to lead a team to the playoffs in the East almost single handedly. That is the kind of talent Melo possesses.

The Nets have some quality pieces in place who may be able to stick it out with the team in the longrun. I really like Outlaw as a prime candidate for a breakout season. Damion James should have a surprise season as well.

I LIKED Outlaw as a prime candidate this year. But coming off the bench behind Melo? How do you like his chances now?

Sure we can get to the playoffs. Will we play 4 or 5 games against the Heat before its over?

You can try to play Melo as a spot four, as his post game is very advanced for a SF. You can say the same for Damion James. To be honest though, Outlaw is just a good rotation player at this point, not a guaranteed starter by any stretch. (for a good playoff team imo)

Give it four years of star draft picks, and I still would doubt that the Nets would contend with the Heat. However, put a player like Melo into the rotation and make some shrewd draft day deals instead of going for sure bets, and maybe the Nets can have a crack at it down the road. At the very least, it brings some publicity to this team. And, it goes far towards making the Nets a winner because Melo is one of the top 3 toughest players to defend in the NBA on the offensive end. (don't just take it from me, ask the Olympic guys)

Sure, a lot of winning teams start off with star players who are sure bets at picks 1 and 2. But, real stable contenders continue to do the scouting work to bring in players and win. Look at the Spurs bringing in Tiago Splitter. That should be the model that the Nets follow. Acquire Melo, and then luck out and get the number 1 pick and draft Quincy Miller or Michael Gilchrist. Realistically though, the Nets are making the right move by acquiring a proven all NBA player.

[Diop]

If this goes through I think you guys will have an interesting team next year.

Most of your offence will come from Melo and Lopez. Murphy is an excellent Pf to go with them as he can nail the long shot which pulls his opponent out of the key.
Your 2 pg's both work hard defensively and are solid 3pt shooters. Even in a bad year, Dj hit some big 3's for us last year.
Hopefully T Will keeps developing and can help distribute the ball. He want's to be a Pg, he can help out your pg's who haven't shown themselves to be big distributors yet.

I like the balance, if your guards show themselves to be starter worthy, you could have a good year.

[treiz]

Ok then, Troy Murphy has an $11million expiring contract, that alone is worth more than Chandler and AR considering that they're in the lux tax. Secondly we can give them 2 1st rounders, we can give them the GS pick, which will be quite valuable considering it's GS, and of course one of ours. Like I said in an earlier post, the Nuggets are going to want two things: Expiring or cash for cap relief, and draft picks, and we can satisfy both criteria.

The part about KG. Like SOUP said, KG was an MVP-caliber player during the trade, Melo is a 2nd tier star, he's not worth what Minny got for KG. And besides what did they offer them. A promising player and draft picks and some cap relief, something we can offer Denver without having to worry about Knicks or Chicago topping.

I dont get this post.

Murphy is exp and? The Knicks have an exp too. Depending how you value players Gallo and AR might be better then any pick the Nets can offer.

As for KG. Promising player, picks and cap realief....you say thats what we can offer....thats what we ARE offering and what you're complaining about. James is not a promising young player thats gonna get you Carmelo Anthony. I think people are really underrating him for one and 2 are in a pretty delusional state thinking the Nets have leverage. We are the Nets, dont forget that, we never have leverage in anything, getting Anthony might be a good step in the direction of changing that culture but right now, Denver might have little leverage, but A they dont have to trade him right now and B they certainly dont have to trade him to the Nets.

The only way we can him is if we put the best offer on the table. Melo is not gonna say he chooses to play here over any other team so we have outbid everyone. Which is what we are going, and a young promising player, picks and cap relief is a very reasonable price to pay.

Basically my point is, is like Rich said, we're outbidding ourselves. We could put in an offer with much less value and still be good. The reason why that trade alone is better than the Knicks is because we can offer them draft picks. I'm not saying that James alone can get us Anthony, OK fair enough you might have to switch him for TWill, just to make sure our deal is better. But the fact that we have 10 draft picks for the next God-knows-how many years, we can offer them a CRAP load, if they want let them take 3 1sts and 2nds.

As for KG, that's what we're offering on a MUCH LESSER PLAYER. KG at the time was an MVP player, Melo isn't. Pure and simple. So, why should we overpay for a 2nd tier player who doesn't even want to be there? Look, we're not saying that we have leverage over Melo. But we have leverage over Denver, because of the fact that Melo could easily walk away and leave Denver with nothing, not just that, but we can also offer the best package for Melo without sacrificing too much and that will favor us in Denver's eyes. They don't have to trade him to the Nets, but the WANT to trade him to the Nets.

And I agree that getting Melo will increase our chances of landing another star, hence why I keep saying we have to go after Paul or Deron after we get this.

That's the thing though, I agree on we have to outbid everyone, but the fact is we're outbidding OURSELVES.

[treiz]

Lets be honest. Even with another star.....we arent competing with the Heat. We are about to witness a dynasty. The best chance to combat that...take your time and become LOADED with players on your roster. You can do that if you have great talent on rookie contracts. Not by paying ONE 26 year old 22mil, or 40% of your cap. And if the CBA does radically effect max salaries?

Does anyone realize how relatively screwed we would be in the market? There would be teams that could build much better rosters for much less if THEIR top guy was only able to make 10 or 15mil.

Although I do agree with your build through the draft thing, I do, I want us to suck for the next 5 years and pray to God that we get the next Lebron. But for some reason management wants to rush things right now, so, might as well jump on that boat whilst the seats are still available. I'm actually hoping that this deal falls through and he goes to the Knicks, so we can see them get absolutely demolished by the Heat.

I dont think it would take 5 more years. I think two. And then I think loaded with elite talent on rook contracts....AND you have cap space to go shopping. And if the CBA thing does lower max deals? How much worse will it be for thsoe teams stil paying 22 mil for ONE guy when the best contracts after that are for MUCH less?

Hey...we get Melo...then forget the future. Trade ANYONE to get better now. Why not? We commit that much payroll...we are the Knicks. Its Amare. Its...ONE big move before we can really support it...so the clock begins. can we get ONE more piece so WE can have the pleasure of being that team to get its teeth kicked in by the Heat...lol!

Fine, 5 years was a bit of an over exaggeration, but I think we're both agreeing on the same things here.