I think if you can put Carmelo and Chris Paul on the same team with Yao, they'll both re-sign with us, and we'll have our own big three capable of competing with anyone. But do the Rockets have the assets to accomplish this? First, this is all predicated on Melo turning down an extension from the Nuggets, causing them to panic. Second, Paul demands a trade out of New Orleans as they continue to tank. Under those circumstances... Houston trades Kevin Martin, Jared Jeffries, and both the Knicks' 2011 and 2012 picks to Denver for Carmelo. Houston also trades Shane Battier, Aaron Brooks, Jordan Hill, Chase Budinger, and $3M cash to New Orleans for Paul. New Orleans then uses the $3M cash to buy Battier out and he returns to the Rockets. PG: Paul/Lowry SG: Ariza/Taylor SF: Anthony/Battier PF: Scola/Patterson C: Yao/Brad Miller? I hope that Morey is thinking about a big picture like this, waiting for the trade deadline to see how the situations in Denver and New Orleans play out. I could easily see us trading for Melo, and then Paul, seeing the opportunity, demanding a trade to Houston, or vice-versa. I think these guys want to play together and meet the Heat in the finals every year.
Probably not. The trading teams aren't going to cooperate with Melo and Paul teaming up with a 3rd superstar, especially in their own conference. We'll be lucky to get either one. Although Paul is the guy to have of the two of them.
No way in hell New Orleans does that deal and highly unlikely Denver does that either, though the threat of Melo leaving makes slightly more plausible.
Who knows, after the summer of Bosh, I am tired of wanting Stars who rather play somewhere else (NY).
If Denver can't get a commitment out of Carmelo then anythings possible, but what trade for a guy who's obsessed with joining the Knicks? The next CBA needs a franchise tag.
The more likely trade scenario would be two separate trades for CP3 and Granger. My gut tells me that we trade AB for Granger before the season starts or early in the season and then acquire CP3 after Jan 1 as he becomes increasingly disenchanted with NO.
Balderdash. If the Nugs and Hornets trade their stars to us, they're in rebuilding mode, simply because all they will get from us is pieces. This whole 'they won't trade to help build a superteam' thing is nonsense. It's about money, not feelings. Unless own the Cavs or Mavs.
You can't have your Battier and eat it too. P.S. I like Brooks/Lowry just fine. But getting Carmelo Anthony would be awesome.
New Orleans won't even think about dealing Paul unless they can package Okafor with him too. I think we should just stick with hoping for one of them for now. Even though I like Paul more as a player, and don't care for Carmelo personally, I think 'Melo would be a much better fit and really increase our title hopes. I'd love either one of them, but if I had my choice I'd hope for getting 'Melo without having to trade Brooks or Martin. At this point, I'll gladly take either if they agree to re-sign.
he is hoping they buy out Battier which I love how people automatically assumes that. Why would people do that when he is an expiring decent player/
If Melo doesn't take the extension with the Nuggets, I guarantee you the Nuggets will move Melo before the trading deadline. NY will offer up very little because they can just sign him in the off season. No other team will want him because he'll bolt. Only a team that has lots of talented young players and picks - like NY's 2011 pick, and is thinking of making a run at the championship would be interested in taking Melo as a 5 month rental off the nuggets. And if Melo wins a ring in Houston...that could change his ambitions about NY.
What we need to do is get Pat Riley to do the groundwork for us, off the record and behind the scenes, of course. He did a splendid job over the last few months on setting up that whole Axis of Ego thing for the Heat.