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

Lowry
Harden
Parsons
Gibson
Howard

Wet dream ....no DRY!!

But Id prefer Carmelo over both. If we could keep Parsons that would be the best line-up (on paper) since Hakeem, Drexler and Barkley.

 

All that from only 12 minutes of conversation between Melo and Jackson. Melo will not return to New York.

 

You beat me to it. Anthony played well with other superstars and looked very comfortable doing it. I think he'd be fine here. More than fine. And would his defense at the 4 be any worse than Jones has been?

 

If Asik & Dwight TT doesn't work out, why do you think Asik and Tyson TT will work? Basically, you down grade the Dwight to Tyson. I am not even sure if Melo + JR will be the better fit than Parsons + Lin, when you already have James Harden who controls the ball most of the time.

 

Well, correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the Knicks over the cap heading into next season(at least if Melo doesn't opt out) and have no first round draft pick? If that's the case, next season ain't gonna go much better than this one. They could make the playoffs if Chandler stays healthy the whole year, but they're not gonna compete for anything other than maybe a 2nd round appearance at best.

 

What options does LA have? Kobe's contract killed their options.

 

They'll have a lot of cap space and a high draft pick. They're in a better position than the Knicks, but they're still in a rebuilding situation despite what they may keep telling themselves.

 

Worked up the tax implications:

New York's state tax for Melo is

139k + 8.82% of the amount over $2,058,550

So assuming Melo signed his max (7.5% raises) with New York at:

1.) 22,993,125
2.) 24,717,609
3.) 26,571,430
4.) 28,564,288
5.) 30,706,609

Total:
5 years: 133,553,063
4 years: 102,846,454

Taxes:
1.) 1,985,863
2.) 2,137,962
3.) 2,301,469
4.) 2,477,239
5.) 2,666,192

Total Net of Taxes
5 years: 121,984,339
4 years: 93,943,921

Assuming Melo signed his max (5% raises - limited to 4 years) with a no state tax team:

1.) 22,458,401
2.) 23,581,321
3.) 24,760,387
4.) 25,998,407

Total:
4 years: 96,798,518

The only real advantage New York offers is that 5th year. Cost of living makes it even worse.

 

I think how we do in the playoffs matters a lot...We have a lot to offer and the Knicks would take Lin if they knew they were losing Carmelo and Asik can definitely be traded...So If we surprise the world and make it to the WCF I bet...I can't really believe this but I bet then we have the best chance to sign Carmelo.

 

Nice job. Of course, the other thing New York has to offer is New York City, just to be fair, and it can be pretty amazing. Having said that, I think we have a real shot at getting him, if Morey wants him and if Melo cares about going to the Finals before he retires.

 

You need to account that state taxes are treated as "earned" in the state that the game is actually played.

41 road, 41 home games. And if you wanted to get super technical if you're in the western conference you're playing more games in Texas (zero state tax) against the Spurs (also same division) and the Mavs.

So, you would 100% not be paying the state tax on the 41 home games. Then the road games would be subject to the applicable state taxes. So you might want to cut those state "tax savings" by a bit.

 

The total tax playing in Texas on the state taxes is about 1.5% through all the different home and away (note they pay no income tax for memphis, just the $2500 arena tax for each game), also the home states tend to tax the players earnings regardless of where they play (ny does), so he's paying the ny taxes no matter where he plays, just gets the difference credited.

In basic terms, if you play for a ny team, any state you play in, both states have jurisdiction to your tax, and you end up paying the highest rate.

 

yeah, but looks like he left out nyc tax rate - which is about 3.5% for the top bracket i believe.

 

True. But NY also has city taxes too. Apparently the average New York pays 13% in state and local taxes. Not to mention the cost of living is almost 2 to 1 I think.

 

You guys really think a couple of weeks of international ball on an All-Star team is actual evidence that Melo isn't a ballhog? I guess Kobe isn't a ballhog too... Seriously, everyone plays "nice" during the Olympics. Even Stephon Marbury. No one wants to look like a complete selfish player in front of their peers.

 

You are correct, but I wanted to do the 5 minute analysis, not the 30 minute one.

 

Dwight said it best. What makes players the most money is winning championships.

 

That's why I said if I were Phil Jackson, haha~ or there's nearly zero chance for us to get Melo with parsons and BEV getting paid on the team next season. And that's also the best chance to get rid of Lin's contract! Indeed it's like a super upgrade for Knicks...

 

I think you underestimated to be honest since you didn't include city tax, and when you file your NY State/Local taxes you pay on your gross salary earned, not what you earned in state. However, you can deduct other state taxes.

The thing you are forgetting though is that if you live in a market like NYC, you will get far bigger local endorsement deals. I doubt many star athletes see the tax things as that big of a difference maker. Perhaps the lower tier would.