No, they wouldn't. Next year Lin + Asik will total $16.6M in cap hit. Yes, they'll be paid $30M, but that's less than the Knicks would have paid just matching Lin's 3rd year vs trading for him now. Also, in that trade they'd be shedding Melo's $23M next year. Even if you toss in filler, that's a cap savings of $4-5M, or almost $9M in luxury tax just from the salary differential. So they gain $4-5M in cap space, and end up paying $6M in that year, but get their services for 1/2 of this year for $2.5M each or so (substantial savings this year). In terms of free agency, I doubt Lin + Asik will earn more than Melo's $23M. Asik is probably worth $10-12M on the high side. Lin will probably earn $9-10M in his next contract assuming he doesn't have a significant drop off. More importantly, they'll only be 26 and 28 years old vs Melo's 31 years of age, which gives time to rebuild once the Amare contract expires or is traded as an expiry. As for NYC making that trade, I don't think they trade Melo unless they believe Melo isn't going to re-sign. At that point they don't have a choice. It's either take the best trade package they can get, or let Melo walk for nothing ala the Lakers and Howard. I guarantee that if the Lakers seriously thought Howard was going to walk, there's NO way they would have let him go for nothing.
Steven A also said he will end up in L.A. to play alongside Kobe Bryant. They could easily trade for him as well.
I don't think Asik would go to NY. With Tyson Chandler on the books for a few more years, they don't need someone like Asik. Asik would go to a 3rd team for a pick, which would be rerouted to NY. Melo has the same leverage in NY that Dwight had in Orlando. Either trade me to X team(s), or I'll walk in free agency. Dwight's threat appears to have been real. Not sure on Melos. The Knicks don't really have anything to upgrade their team. No draft picks. No cheap assets. Just a bunch of known commodities that are probably overpaid. NY could have it's slate clean in 2015-2016, so it will be interesting to see if they let Melo walk in 2014 like LA did with Dwight. If I'm NY and I can get back Linsanity plus a prospect in TJones and a good pick (maybe Charlottes via the Bulls), none of which impede my 2015 cap room....I do it. But only if I know for certain that Melo is gone either way.
I'd love to see Daryl Morey fleece Dorel Maurey for a 1st-round pick AND get him to throw in a 2nd-rounder.
That roster is stronger at C and PF, weaker at SF and slightly weaker at PG than the roster we had last year. Their problem right now is really obvious, Chandler is injured.
Don't undervalue Asik His contract value is 8.3M, but his market value is 12M. His D is great, pretty as same as Tyson Chandler and he is younger and healthier.
Batum is interesting, as someone posted earlier... But that would have to involve parsons I would imagine...
Beverly Harden Melo Jones Dwight for some reason I don't see this team being as good as it is on paper. Melo will want to be more that a catch and shoot specialist even though he can shoot it anywhere on the court with unlimited range. I'd do the trade because of the low risk that if he doesn't work out he is a free agent in the summer. Also we just added a stud in Dwight Howard who is trying to find himself here so how ill our chemistry be with two new studs?
Do you know how harden dolan will laught at that offer?.Asik is useless to them with Chandler and Lin isn't in the same universe as melo.
I really like Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson. If we can trade Asik + anybody other than Lin, Harden, Parsons, Dwight, I`d be happy. I`d even be willing to give up Beverly.
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=n34vvfp Hou get: Durant PJIII Reggie Jackson OKC get: Melo Tyson NY get: Omer Lin Perkins Picks. Win Win & Jalen goes DING!
If Melo wants to be traded. Asik, Lin, T-Jones a 1 rounder and 2nd rounder is fair deal. No doubt Knicks improve as well.
Lol, Rockets locker room dramas are even more hilarious than the Knicks. These dramas are even more entertaining than watching Mcfail losing games due to being out-coached.
