Denver-NJ in "advanced" talks

[Alex Trevelyan]

Is Melo just about box office for the Knicks? Does he really make them that much better? He's played for a well managed franchise with a good coach and the sort of ownership that about 20 other franchises in the league would be envious of, they've surrounded Melo with players and they've been in the playoffs every year since he entered the league. He's been past the first-round of the playoffs once. But he's somehow going to improve on that in New York, as grossly mismanaged as that franchise is?

So what's the plan? Melo joins the Knicks, hopes Amare stays healthy long-term, then the two of them and only the two of them, terrorize the league for the next decade? Does he hope Dolan doesn't do something stupid like bring Isiah back? The Knicks don't seem to have a blueprint for success, they're just flailing in response to losing out on LeBron James. Does anyone think the Knicks with Melo would be a long-term threat to either the Heat or Bulls?

[vincecarter4pres]

I've broken down the #'s and explained it a number of times, there is absolutely no way possible for the Knix to wind up with a Big 3 of Amar'e, Melo and Paul through free agency.

That's a cool story but Paul will not reach free agency if he tells New Orleans he's out. His situation will end up just like Melo's. And if the Knicks keep enough pieces to use for Paul, and he demands NY of all teams, then a trade will be possible.

What are the Knicks going to trade for Paul, Billups, Landry Fields and a 2nd?

[Alex Trevelyan]

That's a cool story but Paul will not reach free agency if he tells New Orleans he's out. His situation will end up just like Melo's. And if the Knicks keep enough pieces to use for Paul, and he demands NY of all teams, then a trade will be possible.

Good luck with that. The Knicks can have Paul, but they're not going to have Stoudemire, Melo and Paul, it's just impossible even with the soft cap. In order to obtain Melo, the Knicks are going to have to send valuable trade pieces and their salaries to Denver in order to clear up space for Melo's contract extension. What is New York trading to the Hornets for Paul? And how much less money is Paul willing to accept to go to New York. Forget about a triumvirate in a Knicks jersey, if Paul or Howard is in New York it'll be with the Nets because they'll be the only team with enough cap space to sign them.

[eslr]

Is Melo just about box office for the Knicks? Does he really make them that much better? He's played for a well managed franchise with a good coach and the sort of ownership that about 20 other franchises in the league would be envious of, they've surrounded Melo with players and they've been in the playoffs every year since he entered the league. He's been past the first-round of the playoffs once. But he's somehow going to improve on that in New York, as grossly mismanaged as that franchise is?

So what's the plan? Melo joins the Knicks, hopes Amare stays healthy long-term, then the two of them and only the two of them, terrorize the league for the next decade?

The plan is to get Paul, and there seems to be some feeling that Paul will end up in NY if the Knicks can get melo. Not sure how that happens, but that seems to be the feeling.

But put that aside, I think you make a great point about Melo and Amare. They are a terrible fit together. Melo can get lazy playing defense and needs to play alongside inspiring defenders to give half a damn. Amare is about the laziest, least inspired defensive player in the league and the two are going to be an absolute seive together.

Offensively they are both great, but dont compliment each other at all (it will be a bit like Melo and AI). Melo isnt a very good pick and roll player and isnt great at setting others up. He is a good post player and has a diverse mid rnage game. Amare is good at the pick and roll and facing up.....dont see how that meshes with Melo at all.

[Jordan45822]

per WT

Dolan (with Allan Houston) and Prokhorov (with Jay-Z) scheduled to meet with Anthony. CAA arranged the meetings like they did with their obsession Lebron.

[eslr]

Am I the only one that doesnt even consider Carmello 'that great'.

I'm fully with you.

He's about the 18th best player in the league.

Melo is not a top tier star, but he is extremely valuable. One of the things that I think makes Carmelo very good (i dont know about "that great") is the fact that it is so easy to build around him.

Because he is so good at scoring from all over the court (posting up, mid range, facing up, off the pivot, jab step, fast break...the only thing that he isnt great at is 3 point shooting) and well above average at everything else (sans defense when he gets lazy) it is easy to surround him with a number of different type of players and have it work. You look at who he has played with at PG:

Andre Miller: A guy that couldnt shoot worth ****, dominated the ball, and passed a lot as a playmaker
Allen Iverson: A guy that could kind of shoot, dominated the ball, rarely passed and shot a lot
Chauncey Billups: A guy that can shoot, doesnt dominate the ball, both passes and shoots

He was able to thrive playing alongside all three of those guys with extremely different playing styles. I dont think Dwyane Wade or Lebron James, for example, could fit in so seamlessly with such different players.



I like Melo for the Nets because they seem to have no direction right now. Nothing solid to build around, Harris seems to be out the door, Brook is good but not great. Melo at least gives them a cornerstone to build off of, and a cornerstone that will be easy to build off of.

[Jordan45822]

Pretty sucks for Anthony if he agrees to sign with NJ he is guaranteed to miss the playoffs for the first time in his career this year. They are currently 8.5 games back out of the 8th seed.

[Soap345]

I may be crucified for saying this, but I think that while Mello is not the person you want leading your team, he fits in better then most superstars with a lot of teams.

Its hard to explain but I guess I am saying that I think the Nuggest have been utilizing him incorrectly. They want him to play like Lebron and Wade, very ball dominant breakdown the defense, drive into bigs kind of player, when I honestly think that he needs a much more structured offense where he plays off the ball more. He needs to play more like Dirk.

He plays the best Bully ball in the league, in my personal opinion. He falt out hammers people in the post, the dude is soo strong he will flat out run over you if you are even a little off balance. He should/could force a double almost every time, because its hard to imagine many threes being able to handle him in the post, single coverage. He is also a very underrated rebounder, and keeping him there, instead of living on the perimeter would allow him to wrok the offensive glass more.

He is not Lebron or Wade, and He should not try to play like them. That all being said, he really needs to step up the defense, but I think a lot of that has to do with playing for Carl and on that Denver team.

[Paeds]

Is Melo just about box office for the Knicks? Does he really make them that much better? He's played for a well managed franchise with a good coach and the sort of ownership that about 20 other franchises in the league would be envious of, they've surrounded Melo with players and they've been in the playoffs every year since he entered the league. He's been past the first-round of the playoffs once. But he's somehow going to improve on that in New York, as grossly mismanaged as that franchise is?

So what's the plan? Melo joins the Knicks, hopes Amare stays healthy long-term, then the two of them and only the two of them, terrorize the league for the next decade? Does he hope Dolan doesn't do something stupid like bring Isiah back? The Knicks don't seem to have a blueprint for success, they're just flailing in response to losing out on LeBron James. Does anyone think the Knicks with Melo would be a long-term threat to either the Heat or Bulls?

I'm not sure what rock you have been living under but Donnie Walsh has been doing an amazing job in NY. The plan is to get better and they are doing that in anyway they can.Signings, trades, draft...

[Paeds]

I've broken down the #'s and explained it a number of times, there is absolutely no way possible for the Knix to wind up with a Big 3 of Amar'e, Melo and Paul through free agency.

That's a cool story but Paul will not reach free agency if he tells New Orleans he's out. His situation will end up just like Melo's. And if the Knicks keep enough pieces to use for Paul, and he demands NY of all teams, then a trade will be possible.

What are the Knicks going to trade for Paul, Billups, Landry Fields and a 2nd?

I dont think anyone can answer that until the Melo deal is done and we know where he is going and for whom.

I could see Paul taking a small paycut, the endorsement opportunities in NY can make up for any salarie differences

[Tim_Hardawayy]

Um correct me if I'm wrong but isn't it against the rules for Melo to meet with other teams' executives while still under contract with Denver?

Both Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan and Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov are scheduled to meet with Carmelo Anthony during All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles.

Anthony's representatives will be responsible for setting up the meetings with the two owners.

Dolan and Prokhorov will receive an audience in a similar way to what was arranged during LeBron James' free agency.

It is not clear why Anthony would need to meet with Dolan, considering the Knicks have been his top choice for months.

One league executive believes that Anthony, like James, simply wants to hear straight from Dolan what the future holds for the Knicks.
Whether or not Donnie Walsh will be in attendance is not known, but Garden president Scott O'Neil and assistant general manager Allan Houston will likely attend beside Dolan.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/21 ... th_Anthony

Wtf? I'm almost positive that's not allowed.

[The Rebel]

Um correct me if I'm wrong but isn't it against the rules for Melo to meet with other teams' executives while still under contract with Denver?

Both Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan and Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov are scheduled to meet with Carmelo Anthony during All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles.

Anthony's representatives will be responsible for setting up the meetings with the two owners.

Dolan and Prokhorov will receive an audience in a similar way to what was arranged during LeBron James' free agency.

It is not clear why Anthony would need to meet with Dolan, considering the Knicks have been his top choice for months.

One league executive believes that Anthony, like James, simply wants to hear straight from Dolan what the future holds for the Knicks.
Whether or not Donnie Walsh will be in attendance is not known, but Garden president Scott O'Neil and assistant general manager Allan Houston will likely attend beside Dolan.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/21 ... th_Anthony

Wtf? I'm almost positive that's not allowed.

They have to get the Nuggets permission

[Jordan45822]

Um correct me if I'm wrong but isn't it against the rules for Melo to meet with other teams' executives while still under contract with Denver?

Both Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan and Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov are scheduled to meet with Carmelo Anthony during All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles.

Anthony's representatives will be responsible for setting up the meetings with the two owners.

Dolan and Prokhorov will receive an audience in a similar way to what was arranged during LeBron James' free agency.

It is not clear why Anthony would need to meet with Dolan, considering the Knicks have been his top choice for months.

One league executive believes that Anthony, like James, simply wants to hear straight from Dolan what the future holds for the Knicks.
Whether or not Donnie Walsh will be in attendance is not known, but Garden president Scott O'Neil and assistant general manager Allan Houston will likely attend beside Dolan.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/21 ... th_Anthony

Wtf? I'm almost positive that's not allowed.

They can if Denver gives them permission

[Curmudgeon]

I don't believe the Nets have reentered the game. I believe the story was planted by the Nuggets to hoodwink the Knicks into thinking that a bidding war exists.

[melostat]

Is Melo just about box office for the Knicks? Does he really make them that much better? He's played for a well managed franchise with a good coach and the sort of ownership that about 20 other franchises in the league would be envious of, they've surrounded Melo with players and they've been in the playoffs every year since he entered the league. He's been past the first-round of the playoffs once. But he's somehow going to improve on that in New York, as grossly mismanaged as that franchise is?

So what's the plan? Melo joins the Knicks, hopes Amare stays healthy long-term, then the two of them and only the two of them, terrorize the league for the next decade?

The plan is to get Paul, and there seems to be some feeling that Paul will end up in NY if the Knicks can get melo. Not sure how that happens, but that seems to be the feeling.

But put that aside, I think you make a great point about Melo and Amare. They are a terrible fit together. Melo can get lazy playing defense and needs to play alongside inspiring defenders to give half a damn. Amare is about the laziest, least inspired defensive player in the league and the two are going to be an absolute seive together.

Offensively they are both great, but dont compliment each other at all (it will be a bit like Melo and AI). Melo isnt a very good pick and roll player and isnt great at setting others up. He is a good post player and has a diverse mid rnage game. Amare is good at the pick and roll and facing up.....dont see how that meshes with Melo at all.

well im sure putting a contending team makes them inspired to play defense all the time plus the pressure of being in new york..and a big man is always a compliment to a perimeter player

[eslr]

Is Melo just about box office for the Knicks? Does he really make them that much better? He's played for a well managed franchise with a good coach and the sort of ownership that about 20 other franchises in the league would be envious of, they've surrounded Melo with players and they've been in the playoffs every year since he entered the league. He's been past the first-round of the playoffs once. But he's somehow going to improve on that in New York, as grossly mismanaged as that franchise is?

So what's the plan? Melo joins the Knicks, hopes Amare stays healthy long-term, then the two of them and only the two of them, terrorize the league for the next decade?

The plan is to get Paul, and there seems to be some feeling that Paul will end up in NY if the Knicks can get melo. Not sure how that happens, but that seems to be the feeling.

But put that aside, I think you make a great point about Melo and Amare. They are a terrible fit together. Melo can get lazy playing defense and needs to play alongside inspiring defenders to give half a damn. Amare is about the laziest, least inspired defensive player in the league and the two are going to be an absolute seive together.

Offensively they are both great, but dont compliment each other at all (it will be a bit like Melo and AI). Melo isnt a very good pick and roll player and isnt great at setting others up. He is a good post player and has a diverse mid rnage game. Amare is good at the pick and roll and facing up.....dont see how that meshes with Melo at all.

well im sure putting a contending team makes them inspired to play defense all the time plus the pressure of being in new york..and a big man is always a compliment to a perimeter player

Whos the perimeter player? And where the contender?

[Jordan45822]

I don't believe the Nets have reentered the game. I believe the story was planted by the Nuggets to hoodwink the Knicks into thinking that a bidding war exists.

Very hard to say no to a Favors + Harris + Expiring + 4 first round picks along with unloading some contracts with Anthony.

[SpeedyG]

I don't believe the Nets have reentered the game. I believe the story was planted by the Nuggets to hoodwink the Knicks into thinking that a bidding war exists.

Very hard to say no to a Favors + Harris + Expiring + 4 first round picks along with unloading some contracts with Anthony.

If it comes to a bidding war, there's nothing the Knicks can do to outbid the Nets. The Nets simply have far too much ammunition at their disposal. Better prospects, better picks.

Providing that is, that Carmelo is open to signing with NJ, and that NJ is crazy enough to actually offer what is being reported as out there.

[melostat]

Whos the perimeter player? And where the contender?

melo..i believe they will be contenders if they get melo

[Rockice_8]

I dont think anyone can answer that until the Melo deal is done and we know where he is going and for whom.

I could see Paul taking a small paycut, the endorsement opportunities in NY can make up for any salarie differences

Did I miss something here since when did all these players start taking pay cuts to play for the Knicks. I saw a great quote from someone in another thread. "It took the Knicks a decade to get to .500 and 2 months to become cocky". Love it. If the Knicks think Melo and Amare can get them a ring then go for it cause once that deal goes through they will have nothing but the MLE to improve for the next 2-3 years.

The Nets aren't giving up this package, this is just DEN driving up the price. I think they will get back in the deal for the right price but not for whats being reported.