The #1 concern for Melo IF he decides to leave NY is going to be winning. With that in mind, his chief concern in Chicago is going to be Derrick Rose's long-term health. If I were Melo I'd choose Houston for that reason alone.
I would choose Houston.... He gets to play with Harden, Howard and Parsons... plus a full MLE player. The Bulls have to gut their team to make a deal possible.... also there is no way to know how good Rose will be.
Why do you keep saying this? In a scenario where we end up with Melo, I think it's a lot more likely that we end up opening cap space and signing Melo, rather than NYK signing and trading him.
They don't really, neither team can offer Melo his full max and both teams need to gut themselves down to just their starting lineups to get to the 20-21m range. The real risk was as noted, Rose's knee, every other reason favours Chicago. Better coach, better role, better conference.
Melo would work for one simple reason: since Mchale isn't going anywhere we're stuck with iso ball and Melo is better at iso ball than Harden.
No... the Bulls would have to amnesty Boozer, trade Taj Gibson, not bring over Mrtic and move Dunleavy... as well as move one of their #1 picks... that is a gutting, plus that is assuming the Bulls will go over the cap after next season to resign Butler (who is asking for 10-13 mil a season). Everything doesnt favor CHI, the actual TEAM in Houston is better.
How plausible is it to keep Parsons and still get Melo? Is there a way to get Melo while keeping Asik? Or do both Lin and Asik have to be moved to get him?
It is very plausible to get Melo without giving up Parsons. But Asik and Lin are gone for sure for salary matching (clearing) purposes. No matter what, Asik is gone after next season. He is not going to re-sign in Houston. He has to be traded to realize any value.
I would say its far beyond plausible, and say probably likely. There is no reason why the Knicks would have the leverage to make demands for Parsons if the Rockets position themselves accordingly by creating a situation where they could have the cap space easily to sign Melo instead of a S&T to the Knicks. Especially if they can get Melo this Summer that gives them a whole season with Parsons still on his rookie deal, and can go into next Summer figuring out the details at that point. If the team struggles to get off to a fast start, they have Parsons as a huge trade piece at the deadline to use to make upgrades elsewhere on the roster if they feel like the fit of Parsons/Melo at the 3/4 isn't big or good enough on both ends. Both Lin & Asik will need to be moved more than likely. Not necessarily just because a cap reasons(could only take back 12.6 million in salary with just one of Lin or Asik's contracts going in trade & Melo accounts for 22 million), but because of the fact that they are probably going to have to be moved for cap space to sign Melo outright, or at least that's the initial threat made to New York to force them to accept a S&T so they get SOMETHING back for Melo. If New York agrees to work a S&T for Melo to Houston before Morey needs to ship out Asik & Lin to another team for cap space, they are most likely going to be asking Houston to not just take Melo for Lin & Asik but also asking them to help them with other long term salary. With Asik & Lin going out to New York in a S&T they officially can bring back 25.2 mil in salary from the Knicks according to the 150% rule. You are probably looking at a situation where the Rockets do the Knicks a solid and take back Ray Felton in the deal for Melo as well as a sweetener and a way to help the Knicks rebuild faster. -So honestly... with all this being said, If you are a Rockets fan, the best case scenario would be trading Lin & Asik ASAP & signing Melo with the remaining cap space that allows the Rockets. That way you dont have to worry about giving up assets, and taking back fat arse Felton as well. However, part of Houston's pitch to Melo will be that they can give him just as much money as he'd make in New York without the additional years by getting a S&T done. No S&T, a few million less a year for Melo to sign under the Rockets remaining cap.
Yea, I thought as much. I'm just wondering what the future of Parsons will be like right now. How is this situation with Parsons going to play out? How much will he and Melo be offered and how much will they want? And also, Parsons is the 3rd leading scorer in Houston, and, unlike some after this year's playoffs, I still think he's good enough to have all-star appearances in his future. With that said, where does that leave Parsons if Melo goes to Houston?
Morey has admitted that Parsons will command a high salary in the past. If the Rockets get Anthony, it is very likely Parsons sticks around. I would expect Parsons and Anthony to play the 3/4 with Anthony getting most of the minutes at the 4.
Regarding the frontline of Howard/Anthony/Parsons.....just keep in mind that some of the most effective lineups for the Heat and Thunder have frontlines with only 1 traditional big and playing small with Lebron & Durant playing PF with Bosh and Ibaka playing C. Just the state of the NBA these days. When you have a C like Howard, you can afford to play smaller with Anthony/Parsons. Also, keep in mind whenever we talk about Anthony having problems defensively guarding guys like Aldridge or Randolph in the post, remember that those guys have to guard Anthony out in space. Not an easy task and very easy for those defenders to get in foul trouble putting them to the bench.
