I see it as Perry got the new GM gig, needed to stop things so he could evaluate his own team. But once he evaluates his lack of leverage and the fact bringing Melo back to the team will be bad for chemistry, he will eventually relent. I don't see Morey panicking here. He will wait out the NY/Melo situation. I think you are underselling NY's lack of leverage.
I certainly don't see a panic move by Morey. But as we saw with the CP3 trade, when a star is available, he acts differently to secure him. He did this with Harden, he was willing to do this with Dwight the first time, and I just see him as a GM who, when it comes to a difference making star, pounces, doesn't play games, and sometimes overpays at the time. For a player like CP3 who said he was going to Houston, Morey sure paid alot.. but he did it to secure the deal at the right time. The question here is what he thinks of Melo. Is he viewed as a star in this case, or will he hard line negotiate like he does with smaller deals like the Asik trade, etc? I just think that if Morey wants him now and doesn't want to go through the Melodrama of dealing with a buyout scenario, or the risk of Melo expanding his list, I think he makes the move, and throws another good player in the deal. If EG/Ryno are equal in value or only slightly less than Melo I could see him saying we have a deal on the table, and if you don't like it, find someone else because I just don't trust Melo to not add a third team, and I don't trust him to not negotiate a buyout that sends him to Cleveland. As a risk adverse guy that I am, I just don't a way to get a deal done without a long dramatic summer without a player like EG getting put in the deal against Morey's best intentions.
That's what's so perfect about this situation. We might not get Anthony and the Rockets will STILL be in a great position. Ryan Anderson may have a bad contract, but we just came off a 55 win season and a 2nd round exit with him. And we just improved the entire roster. We don't need to trade Anderson for Anthony. It just so happens to be a luxury. Anderson still fits this roster well enough even if he is annoying sometimes.
@dobro1229 I think Morey was willing to "risk more" to get Chris Paul (2nd star) than he is to get Melo (3rd/complimentary star).
At that point you are no longer making the significant upgrade that gets you to title contention though. I actually agree with Lowe (who I like less and less) when he says Morey has the will to get a deal done, but his will stops at Ryan Anderson.
HOU out: Anderson, Onuaku, 2020 1st, 2019 2nd, cap filler HOU in: Melo NYK out: Melo NYK in: Valanciunas, cap filler - Dont think this would work salary wise (without other parts), but I could see NY liking this, even if KP's best long-term position might be at the 5. But JV would help keep him healthy, and adds a strong young core piece. TOR out: Valanciunas, cap filler TOR in: Harkless, Anderson, Onuaku, HOU 2019 2nd - Casey never liked JV, and there's chatter about him being on the block. He doesn't fit with the guard-centric roster. Ibaka is probably most valuable as a C, and with Anderson next to him, they could really space the floor. They don't have an SF besides Miles and rookie Anunoby, and Harkless would fill that. POR out: Harkless POR in: HOU 2020 1st, cap filler - Portland likes Harkless, but they have a ton of wings. Adding a future asset to clear up some room could be possible. C.Capela / Nene / T.Black / (Z.Qi) C.Anthony / L.Mbah a Moute / (I.Hartenstein) T.Ariza / P.Tucker J.Harden / E.Gordon / (T.Williams) C.Paul / (I.Taylor)
It's been heavily reported that Portland is not willing to facilitate a trade that would get Melo to the Rockets.
@Snow Villiers @Pen15clubber @swyyyguy @Mathrocker @Mr. Motiejunas @FTW Rockets FTW Maybe it's time y'all get on a text chain. Y'all have been spamming the garm for two weeks.
