If Melo takes 20mill per or less, I will be satisfied. I would rather trade him for a big package in a S&T, but that appears to be quite unrealistic at this point.
So if he signs for the 20 mill, here are some moves that may have to happen to allow next off-season to be the one where the Knicks can do some important shopping:
Trade JR Smith
Trade Prigs
Unless Shump takes a significant step forward, don't offer him the QO and let him go.
If Melo is making 20-21 mill under these circumstances, the Knicks total salary (with cap holds and first round draft pick) would be between 37-40 mill. Someone should double check me, but that is the rough estimate I came up with.
The cap number is projected to go up to 66mill next season, but let's say 65 to be safe. If that is the case, we would have 25-28 mill to spend. Every million Melo gives up is a big help.
Again, my numbers could be wrong, so I wouldn't mind the help. Here is the list of potential free agents:
http://www.hoopsrumors.com/2013/09/2015 ... gents.html