Dr. Detfink wrote:GONYK wrote:If Melo would accept a buyout at the end of the season, why doesn't he offer the Knicks a deal now?
Well this IS the reason why Phil Jackson was fired. He demanded Dolan buy out Melo, NOW.
Dolan didn't want to give Melo a free $26M buy out.
Melo wants EVERY red cent. He's not accepting less.
However, Dolan and the Knicks could be cajoled into buying out the remainder of the season...say $8-10M late into next season.
Remember Houston ONLY wants Melo for the playoffs. They're a lock to make the playoffs, so why would they press now? No reason.
So each side will bide their time but Houston has the upper hand.
The reason Phil was fired was because he wanted to buy out
2 years of Melo's contract.
For the buyout to be as cheap as you laid out above, it would require Melo using his ETO. Otherwise, it would be the same situation that got Phil fired.
If Melo is willing to terminate his contract at the end of the season, which at that point would be a few weeks away, why would the Knicks pay him $8-10M to do something he's going to do anyway? Just so he can run to Houston for free? If he prevented them from getting an asset for him, I doubt they do him that kind of favor.
If he wants every red cent, why would he exercise his ETO?
Unless I'm missing something, the buyout situation doesn't make sense for either party.
Houston has no upper hand. Depending on the charity of the Knicks is not a strong position.