blumeany wrote:We're going to get a sign and trade with New York, because I'm still convinced that Jackson doesn't actually want Melo there. He'd rather free up the money and get a little something extra as well. Our work is going to come in with either getting NY to take Boozer, or having them sign off on a 3-way deal where someone else takes Boozer and they get other assets.
I hope you are right. I really do think that this is down to us or him staying in NY. I don't think Houston can offer significantly more money - maybe an extra million or 2 to start, but without as strong a group around him in terms of depth and role (assuming no sign and trades).
The Bulls offer 16.4 or so and the depth chart is:
pg: Rose, vetmin
sg: Butler, vetmin
sf: Melo, McBuckets
pf: Taj, Bear-Aussie
cc: Noah, vetmin
Houston's can offer (after moving Lin for no salary, but losing assets) 18.3-4
pg: Beverly, Nick Johnson
sg: Harden, vet min
sf: Melo, Casspi
pf: T.Jones, Moteijunas
cc: Howard, vet min
Now, that's not bad, and the 10 million or so over 4 years might, plus no state income tax (add in another 2 million) might sway Melo. But given overall fit (having to make sure all these other guys get their shots), going to the Western conference, and Melo's seeming like for real urban living (and while Chicago is reasonably comparable to NY, Houston is not - completely different style/feel)... I dunno, not that great.
And if he's not staying in NY, then chances are at the end it will be a sign and trade and the Bulls will send Snell, MJD, non-guaranteed and picks (Sactown, maybe one or two more) to NY for Melo, but have more ability to add other players, rather than just vet min guys (I guess there might be one exception left after that). Or potentially a 3 way deal where Boozer is "dumped" and the Bulls give away a pick for that, but then keep the MLE.