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

Lin and Asik are gone if the Rockets want to sign Melo. And if a team offers Parsons too much possibly him as well.

Beverley/decent backup PG
Harden/adequate bench guy
Melo/adequate bench guy
Jone/competent backup big
Howard/competent backup big

Could be a fun year.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>RT <a href="https://twitter.com/WindhorstESPN">@WindhorstESPN</a>: .<a href="https://twitter.com/LarryCoon">@LarryCoon</a> projecting unexpected jump of $5M in salary cap. If that holds, game changer for Melo &amp; his CHI/HOU options</p>&mdash; Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/statuses/457334135036473345">April 19, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Oh yeah baby

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>On Wednesday night's Coast to Coast, I reported how Chicago is quietly feeling more and more optimistic about its Melo chances. Now this</p>&mdash; Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/statuses/457334435956797440">April 19, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Been writing all along that Bulls will exhaust the Carmelo situation to its conclusion before moving to Plan B. If cap jumps, can only help.</p>&mdash; K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) <a href="https://twitter.com/KCJHoop/statuses/457335533912752128">April 19, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Oh wow!

 

http://cbafaq.com/blog/?p=304

projected cap now at $63.2 million
lux tax projected at $77 million


That's actually a small increase over the previous projected $62.9 million.

 

I agree the Rockets are the better option, I just think Chicago has the easiest path to clear enough cap space in order to acquire him

 

I think Melo prefers warm weather and more talent, so Houston over Chicago.

 

Yeah, I'm not quite sure what the big deal is.

 

Just to reflect, a bit of navel gazing... Rewind two years, who would have thought we'd be looking at adding a third superstar to Dwight Howard and a fully blossomed James Harden - and be in a decent position to do so?

Interesting times, folks. And just think about how Morey did it. The man is a genius. Even if Melo doesn't play out, we still have several valid pathways to either get a third star or add the supporting talent we need to get to the next - top - level.

Interesting times indeed. Carry on.

 

I don't see Harden as a starter playing next to Carmelo. Very much would be a failed experiment with Harden's current inflated ego far bigger than 6th man Harden in OKC.

 

So Melo would join a gutted Bulls team that features only Joakim Noah, Jimmy Butler and a broken down Derrick Rose who hasn't played in 2 years. Oh, and there's a 34-yr old Mike Dunleavy too. The rest of the team would have to be minimum wage vets.

You know, that roster looks eerily similar to the Knicks team Melo just left. With Joakim Noah (2013 defensive POY) instead of Tyson Chandler (2011 defensive POY), and a broken down D-Rose instead of a broken down Amare. He'll even have Jimmy Butler doing an Iman Shumpert impersonation. Do you really think that particular roster is a threat to lure Melo?

Houston is waaay more attractive to Melo. If the Rockets unload Asik, Lin, and D-Mo's contracts they should be able to offer Melo a $19.4M salary. Harden, Dwight, Parsons, Beverley, and T.Jones form a much more attractive cast than Joakim Noah and a broken down DRose.

 

I still think Chris Bosh would give the Rockets more than Carmelo or LMA. No ego clashes, significant upgrade in the rebounding in both ends and Chris Bosh can hit the outside shot (even a 3PT). On top of that, Miami really needs a center, which they would get in Asik.

 

I'd do this. But no Bosh and a aging-Wade means Lebron is probably out of there. Which also means they no longer need Asik. If only Wade was 80% of what he used to be...

But yeah, it'll probably cost us Asik + Jones for this scenario.

 

Bottom-line is that if there is a chance, Morey will do whatever it takes to get Melo to Houston. It may mean "bye bye" to the rest of the roster. But who cares about them? Harden, Melo, and Howard as the Big Three... Suns fans say their future looks bright? Our future is a supernova!

 

That's true, but I think the Heat will fall apart anyway because all three agreed to submax deals just for the sake of championship(s). They are not likely to do that again.

The heat constellation will change drastically. I think they will try to build on LBJ and find the suitable cast around him. Bosh is the odd man out as they are unlikely to dump Wade and, do to his health problems, Wade is likely to settle for less money.

 

Melo is Melo, hard to argue about that. However, I don't see this trio as ultimate solution. There would be two obsessive scorers and that leaves Dwight playing only defense. I don't think he would be too thrilled about that. I have hard time to find the chemistry in this constellation.

That brings me back to my Chris Bosh suggestion. He is much more versatile than Melo and he can do it all. He's a good rebounder and can shoot the ball very effectively (not a volume shooter like Melo). He is a great shooter for a big man also from the 3PT range. His shooting efficiency is much better than Melo's.

 

I want LOVE, and I think we will get LOVE (or LMA). Melo would be nice, but i doubt he is coming to Houston...kinda my 3rd option

 

No way Portland trades LMA. Love is probably going to Lakers IMO.

 

Melo must give serious consideration to a great player who has shown a history of severe injuries. Love D-Rose, but if he can't stay healthy, then he becomes a real liability to any franchise due to his enormous cap eating salary. Objectively, Houston is a much better place for Melo.