[NYPost] Rockets could make push for Carmelo (UPDATE: Blog post)

Getting Lowry and Gibson might be outcome, likely rated 1a, with Carmelo rated a 1.
We improve both our offensive and defensive efficiencies with Lowry and Gibson. In addition, there should be plenty of money left to re-sign Parsons and Bev. The latter two need to get paid commensurate with their production. A happy player is a more productive player.

Imagine a starting lineup with Lowry, Howard, Harden, Gibson and Parsons. That is a serious top contender.

Text your idea to Morey.

 

We aren't going to trade Dwight for Carmelo. That makes no sense whatsoever. Carmelo is a FA and can go wherever he wants. PJ/Knicks don't have that much leverage to get a star in return for a SnT. No team has ever pulled that off.

I mean we got Pippen for what? Roy Rogers and a 2nd rounder? haha. That's what a SnT gets the team losing the FA. Knicks will get picks and salary matchers. Not Dwight Howard!

I think you give Lin+Asik, a 2nd Rounder, Dmo for Carmelo + a bad knick contract (Smith or Felton).

If Carmelo takes less salary, then you do it and because PJ would be very happy with that as it fits well into his rebuilding plan.

 

Parsons and Bev still have another year on their contract, and the cap holds of both players are quite small into 2015 offseason.

 

Phil Jackson is not

 

-Lin is neither a steady game manager/3pt sharpshooter, nor a dynamic 2-guard
-Asik's only offensive skill is setting screens, and the Knicks already have Tyson Chandler0

Assuming he wants the Knicks to run the triangle, Phil Jackson is not trading for either. It would take a 3rd team IMO. I think Phil is just going to eat the losses next season, see who is worth re-signing, and make a splash that offseason with draft picks/cap space.

 

No, but it proves that he can share the ball when paired with other stars. I'd wager that if you pair him with Harden and Howard he won't ball hog. And if he does it's up to the coaches, Dwight and James to straighten him out. I think the reward is well worth the risk.

 

Just to clarify Lin and Aasik do not hvae to be traded to NY?

 

cost of living doesn't apply to these NBA guys. he already has real estate in the area, so other costs of living issues - food, entertainment, etc... are insignificant relative to his salary.

 

So addleman is apparently out in Minnesota. I think love may request a trade.

 

This whole idea that Melo would come here and demand the basketball be taken out of Harden's hands and put in his hands is a complete waste. Melo isn't going to come here under that pretense. This is an already established team with an established system and established superstars running the system. Melo won't come here if he wants to be the straw in the drink. He'll stay in New York or go to Chicago or some place else if that is what he wants.

But if Melo chooses of his own free will to come to Houston then he is choosing the team, the system, and the established superstars that are already here. He is choosing to fit in to our team.

So if it happens you can rest assured is because Melo wants to play within those parameters. And his efficiency will spike to the stratosphere as he will be taking a lot better shots alongside 2 other superstars and then getting to dominate opponents bench units when he is left in the game while we rest our other starters.

 

If Morey thinks he can clear cap space, we've got to be the frontrunner even over Chicago. Chicago is a fantastic situation and an easier road to the finals due to being in the Eastern conference, but Rose's questionable health means Melo might have to do all the heavy lifting scoring-wise again. Does he really want to go into the playoffs that way? We're got the stars, role players, chemistry, and most importantly the health.

Melo should come here for the same reasons Dwight did: for a legitimate shot to win a ring. He can stay in that cesspool of a situation that he's currently in or he can come here, be less frustrated and a whole lot happier.

 

Our pursuit of Carmelo is inextricably tied to three factors:

1) Our performance in this year's playoffs.

2) Chicago's performance in the playoffs

3) What the Miami trio do in terms of opting out / restructuring their contracts.

Basically, each team will be making a pitch that Melo is the one piece they need to win next year. How credible that pitch is has everything to do with whether they were still playing in June or out in April. Miami has to keep their core and, say, get Wade to opt out while they sign Melo then sign back in for a deep discount.

If we falter early and Chicago surprises (without Rose mind you), they have to be considered ahead of us. The opposite if we get to the WCF or Finals.

Miami has to be considered a threat because they have a ton of options given that they have 3 max guys who can opt in or out and basically only Birdman and Norris Cole (combined ~3M) are on the books past this season. You wouldn't even need all of the big three to take a discount if Wade took a lot less given his knees.

But for us Rocket fans, if you want us to get Melo, you have to root for us to go far and Chicago to be bounced early.

 

Melo is not going to Miami.... I almost guarantee that.. imagine if the did though.. 4 of the top 5 picks and the only useful players in that 2003 NBA draft will be playing on the same team.. lol. talk about the league losing credibility. they might as well get rid of the small market teams now..

 

Miami is a small market team.

 

I don't see Miami as a landing spot for Carmelo. And I don't see Wade giving much of a discount either.

Chicago is a clear threat and no question how things play out in the playoffs could have some bearing in Carmelo's ultimate decision.

Bulls might have to give up more "core" pieces (Taj) to get something done though that could make it tough.

 

lol that's for a gold medal with LeBron KD.

 

Chicago is no threat to acquire Melo, either through free agency or trade. They just don't have the cap space to sign him. Even if they amnesty Boozer and trade away Mike Dunleavy, the most they can offer Melo is a starting salary of only $14M.

Rose, Noah, Gibson, Butler, and Snell are on the books for $43M. The Bulls will then have combined cap holds of about $5M for two first round picks this year and 4 minimum salary vets to fill out the roster. That means the most they can offer Melo in free agency is a starting salary of only $14M. They can bump that number up to $16M if they ditch their two first round picks this year. Either way, that is waaaay too big a pay cut for a player of Melo's caliber.

The ONLY way the Bulls can realistically acquire Melo is through a sign-n-trade. But the Knicks will won't consider any trade if Taj Gibson isn't included in the deal. But without Gibson and those draft picks... why would Melo even choose the Bulls? He'll be joining a team with only Noah, Butler, and a Derrick Rose that hasn't played ball in 2 years. The rest of the team would be minimum wage scrubs. That is a treadmill team and not a title contender.

 

If they amnesty Boozer and trade Gibson (very doable), that's $21m (my your own math) plus 2 first round picks and Mioroti (sp?)... I would say that makes them a big enough of a threat

 

Harden>broken down Rose
Howard>Noah
Parsons>Butler

There's no comparison. If Melo is truely interested in winning he goes to Houston period.

 

Beverly Lin
Harden Casspi/Garcia
Parsons Motiejunas
Melo Jones
Howard Asik

My dream team..but I know it is unlikely because Rockets have to shed some of the current contracts in order to sign Melo.