AirP. wrote:Dr Aki wrote:OKC are going to do 3 things:
1. ask melo to opt out for a smaller per year contract - melo probably says no
2. ask george to opt in to his player option - george says no
3. be forced to trade away melo, roberson or abrines/singler, giving up longer term draft picks to do so
option 3 seems most likely to me, and that should signal to george that OKC aren't interested in keeping the gang together or improving the roster for a tilt at the title
george leaving means OKC gets to try to make it work between westbrook and melo
worst case scenario, OKC makes the WCFs, then gets crushed by GSW, Bennett and co. face their biggest nightmare, fans want to contend and there's public pressure being forced to bleed through the nose for a 2nd tier contender that's only getting older and less athletic, with no real assets to move the needle
Melo is currently 33, the smartest thing he can do is prearrange with OKC(if George is staying) to opt out and resign for around 50-60 mil for 3 years. If he doesn't opt out he'll make 28 million at age 34 and then who's going to give him big money at age 35 and/or 36?
The other option is to buy him out next year at around 20-22 million(saving 6-8 million in salaries which would be huge with that tax bill they'll have) and let him sign for decent money somewhere else.
Thats quite an either, or. Pay 60 mil for Melo the next 3 years or pay 22 mil to not play with you at alll.
*INGRAM*ALLSTARSEASON* JaKobe Starter
