BOTP: Knicks' primary hope is for Melo to open up trade list beyond HOU and CLE

Yes. Definitely not optimal and I agree with most everything you say, except when weighing the ramifications of being salary strapped vs having a disgruntled player. Remember that Melo did not originally want to leave NY. This dumpsterfire of an organization isn't getting any superstars any time soon, but the only thing that I have agreed with is their goal of only adding 25 or younger players and creating cap space. The TH deal I could live with bc it met one of the two parameters, and if Houston could provide either youth or salary cap, I don't see a problem, but the hurdle that exists is that our lack of leverage DOES indeed limit his return to either taking back unfavorable contracts or not getting game changing young talent. And that all makes sense. Therefore it may be worth taking the bad vibe lumps (when was it ever a good vibe here?) in order to ultimately achieve the goal of organically building the franchise.

 

KP will probably get more frustrated once Melo leaves and his limitations are exposed. Trust me, I think he has a good future, but Melo covers a lot of KP's flaws.

 

Smh...

 

Tell you what, you give us Daryl Morey and I'll drive Carmelo to the airport for you.

 

Melo situation is going to end up the next DMO debacle. I hope Melo keeps hold of his no trade clause making any trade deal Knicks can get meaningless.

Knicks are trying to get some crazy value off of a guy who can't be traded and has 1 year left on his contract. Melo owns this deal Knicks do not. I guess I will check back in 2 months when something finally gets going.

 

KP is 21 years old and just finished his 2nd season in the league. of course he's going to have flaws

 

I respect your opinion. But it's perhaps time to change your id to ThunderTruth and hop on the OKC forum.

And never look back.

 

For full context of the leaks, there was the Nene instagram post with Carmelo in a Rockets jersey as well as the reports that Harden was telling people at Summer League that it was essentially a done deal. This is definitely different than the front office leaking info though.

 

I honestly wouldn't trade Morey to you if you gave us Melo, KP, and C Lee.

You at least have throw is pick swap rights for the next 3 years

 

Put yourself in Melo's shoes... what is it you want? Your ultimate goal?

What difference does it make on the way that you get there if the Knicks are willing to give you another option to get a win-win scenario. If coming to the table to work with Steve Mills and co. on other methods such as a buyout gets you to the same goal, and on a quicker timeline why wouldn't you at least take the meeting and see if there is a win-win scenario?

And if faced with a scenario where its stay in a toxic scenario, and be unhappy or go to South Beach, or the Spurs, would you not at least entertain the possibility even if you publicly want only Houston or Cleveland right now? I mean... the Heat or a rebuilding Knicks... If you say Houston only... the Knicks are the type of organization that one would have to imagine would be okay with the drama of a public spat with its star player who is unhappy.

If I'm Melo its in my best interest to take the meeting and be open to a buyout if I do not take a financial hit. It gives me the ability to go where I want now, and doesn't cost the team I'm going to assets which helps me even more. If the only thing they offer is to expand my list of teams to get traded to, yeah I say Houston or Cleveland only but all Summer I have to sit and think about showing up for training camp and the misery of playing all season with the drama that the Knicks will bring me, or I can go to Southbeach now and be done with it. Can you tell me that you wouldn't weigh your options and at least float the idea of being done with it and going to another good team now instead of risking being on the Knicks next year?

 

If his role changes for the worse in NY, that's only going to further sink his trade value. And the market is only going to dry up as the summer progresses. Moreover, the risk of a "toxic situation" is much worse for the team as a whole than any one individual.

That's my main point: I don't see Carmelo seeing it as much of a "risk" to stay strong in his conviction, because most reasonable people looking at the situation understand that the Knicks have much more to lose. I'm sure the Knicks will make that case, as you said, but it seems pretty simple for Carmelo to call their bluff. The market for Carmelo, with both an NTC and a PO, isn't going to magically improve. The toxic atmosphere would be awful for the Knicks' stated desire to develop and build around younger players, and they'd have no control over when they get cap relief since the 2018 option is 100% in Carmelo's hands.

It's a poker game, and Carmelo has the better cards. I'd be surprised if he folds.

 

Not if those bad vibe lumps deter important players from actively signing there, which may very well likely happen if you hold a player against their will. This can severely hamper the Knicks ability to rebuild.

 

The idea that he's going to expand his list of teams or his value is going to go up is comical.

Let's say he expands his list... what contenders are gonna give them significant assets for melo. OKC? They have pg. SAS...no. Cleveland... we already know that pupu platter. Boston(if you consider them a contender).. you already know ainge isn't giving up s*** for melo. That leaves us....

I really think it's keep him until his contract is done or move him to us... period

 

If I were in Melo's shoes, and I thought that ultimately the team would fold, I wouldn't accept a compromise deal now just to "be done with it." If I thought my preferred option still has a realistic path, and there's still 2+ months to training camp, I'd pursue that option.

 

Sadly, there are fans on this board ignorant/unknowledgeable enough to enthusiastically endorse this, like DD for example who hates all things Rockets FO.

 

What player would actually want to come here anyway? And I guess the million $ question is if he would be staying against his will, or if the ousting of PJax was a hurdle that in his mind opened up the way for him to stay here.

 

Harden and Paul are probably in Melo's ear since last night. Melo needs to stay firm and he will be in Houston by the end of next week.

 

Role players that you want to surround your young talent with.

 

As far as the card game goes... The Knicks have the buyout scenario which if they pay him what he wants out of it, is an optimal scenario for Melo. That's why I'm saying he has no reason to not at least meet with them, and see about a win-win scenario. I never said he didn't have leverage... only that it would be in the Knicks and Melo's best interest to feel each other out with meetings.... hence why it made sense to push the pause button and have meetings from their perspective.

And honestly... it might be in our best interest too if we were giving alot in the trade which we likely were giving up more than folks here thought. It might be better to keep our players & assets and gamble on Melo picking the Rockets in a buyout. I said before it makes sense to try and trade first to secure the player, but its just such a challenging trade to make that they might have to over exert their assets and players to the point where it hurts the franchise down the line.

And to be clear... no I sure as heck don't think Melo just walks in and says.. sure I'll expand my trade list. But with still two months till training camp to stir on the thought of a toxic Knicks situation, or moving to South Beach now with a stable franchise and decent team, any normal person would at least think about it even though yes... now its not on the table if I'm Melo of course.

 

Buyout is certainly an option. I know Knicks' fans think it wouldn't happen until next summer, but with the risk of him opting in (a la Wade) and the whole toxicity situation, it might be an acceptable compromise for them if they really can't stomach one of the contracts coming to them in a HOU trade.

I think Melo would absolutely be open to a buyout, depending upon exactly how much money he gives up... but expanding the list is another matter entirely. If he wants Houston, and I believe he does, I think he'd be open to either route (trade, buyout) to make it happen.