It has to be the other way around. Arison is cheap as heck --- it's why they let Miller walk. The Knicks are over the luxury tax and will spend like drunken sailors. Asik and Lin's balloon contracts hurts Arison's pocket book... it actually helps the Knicks' bottom line due to the luxury tax multiplier. Also, the Knicks have NO picks or young talent, so they're going to be more amenable to a deal built around Asik + Lin + parsons/tjones + picks than the Heat which would want to actually contend. IE, Harden would have to go to Miami. S&T Asik+Lin+Parsons/Tjones+ Picks gets Melo close to $20M and gives the Knicks pieces and picks to trade their albatross contracts and continue their rebuild. Taking on Harden is good for winning games, but doesn't help in clearing the roster of dodgy contracts like Smith, Felton and Bargnani nor does it address numerous holes in the roster (PG, 3, C if you trade Chandler). S&T Harden ($14M)+filler+picks gets Lebron close to $20M and keeps Miami in play off (and potentially ECF) contention and gives them tools to bolster their bench and provides a 2-fer in terms of making the PG a non-issue since Harden is playing PG anyway. Still, right idea.
More to the point, torocan, is there any real possibility that we could get both if we're willing to trade Harden? Technically we could manage it, with the cooperation of Lebron and Melo, the Knicks and the Heat, both teams in danger of losing James and Melo for nothing. To get the best player in the league, along with an offensive dynamo to team up with the best center in the league (while keeping one of the best defensive point guards around), I don't see how the Rockets could pass on the opportunity, if that opportunity presents itself.
It's a lot easier to find defenders at the 3 spot than it is the 2, as the 3 is usually taller and longer, the 3 & D spot in the nba is small forward, Klay Thompson is the closest 2 guard to it, and he's an above average defender at best, there's several small forwards that can fill that role and some of them are fairly available so I have no idea where you're coming from (except for the obvious) with Lebron/Melo is easier to build around. On top of that, it provides no flexibility to Lebron, being able to move him from the 3 to 4 and back is almost key to maximizing him, which you couldn't do with Melo, if an opposing team has a power player at the 4, like zbo or west, we'd have no flexibility whatsoever.... Strong defensive 2? There were 5 people who play small forward, 1 of them being a swingman (Butler) and 0 2 guards in the all defensive teams, and it's a hell of a lot easier for these 3da small forwards to match down, than it is for a 2 to match up (Allen might be the only one) if you're trying to address court balance.
Like I said in another thread, I would love to see a blockbuster deal like this. One of the most intriguing off-seasons in quite a while with Melo, Lebron, DWade, Bosh and Love possibly changing teams. Even with Lebron the Rox might not have enough to get past the Spurs if the Spurs can keep that team intact for next year.
I did say it was a really, REALLY long shot. IE, it only happens if Melo and Lebron are determined to play together AND decide to come to Houston. At that point they both have leverage. Melo can threaten to walk to Chicago for nothing. And Lebron can go anywhere he wants. The Knicks and Miami have no choice at that point or risk losing both for nothing. Still, highly, highly unlikely but you gotta do it if that's what Lebron wants.
I'm not into trading Harden for Lebron. Lebron and Melo can leave on their own and we could get a ton of assets by trading Harden. We could probably get 3 first round picks and a good role player. How I see it. Trade Asik for whatever. Strap Lin with Harden for a few first rounders and a player like say...Ariza or whatever defensive wing. Maybe Afflalo? Have Melo and Lebron take small pay cuts and use those first rounders to fill the bench with young talent. Veteran ring chasers will follow.
That's the salient point for both of us. I personally don't want to trade Harden. I think the grief he's gotten after the Portland series has gone overboard. The guy is still young and learning. We both were concerned when Kelvin Sampson left during the season to take the UH job. Most were dismissive of the impact, but it bothered me a great deal. Shocked me, to tell the truth, that he was allowed to do it before the end of the season. I recall you feeling much the same way. The results made the impact clear, in my opinion. So Harden is a young, dynamic scorer who has excellent court vision, is an excellent passer, money from the charity stripe, can be a terror in the passing lanes on defense, and in general, can play defense when he wants to, and much of that lack of "want to" falls on the coaching staff. Harden has the tools to be a plus defender. I don't have any doubt about it. He needs some of the offensive burden taken off his back so he has more energy on the defensive end, and most of all, he needs an excellent defensive coach. Both Harden and Parsons would benefit a great deal from playing fewer minutes, and having that defensive coach that knows what he's doing, and is a great motivator. Still, if moving James gets you James, you have to do it, in my opinion.
The Rockets wouldn't give up Parsons in the Anthony deal... they wouldn't need to... Howard Anthony Parsons James Beverley
As much as we speculate and debate back and forth I really don't see Morey doing anything like this. LeBron thinks just as much of Harden as he does of Melo as I see it. If not more because he's performing at such a high level at such a yoing age. People that conplain about team chemistry when bringing up Parsons in trades should think of the same with Harden. Why trade a young gun you just acquired for an older guy who is going into the latter stages of his prime.
Because Lebron and Melo's prime coincide with Dwight Howard's prime. Look I love Harden but if Lebron says he'd rather play with Melo than Harden then you get rid of Harden no if ands or buts. Lebron is the best player in the World.
Do it YESTERDAY!!!! Hardens effort and off court lifestyle make him tradable IMO. He is young so maybe he will mature, but maybe he won't. He choked in the playoffs. Melo is a family man and way better clutch scorer than Harden. Melo, James and Howard instantly put us in title contention for the next several years. It would give us the best front court in the league.
I love Harden, and was one his biggest fans even when he was in OKC, but man.....the opportunity to get LeBron is just too good to pass up. If we had assurances that LeBron would come guaranteed with a trade for Carmelo, I'd have to say yes to this. It would be ridiculous not to. With that being said, I would MUCH rather LeBron just come here on his own, and be ready to suit up with James and Dwight.
No need to trade Harden for Lebron though unless you are trying to acquire Melo through free agency and then trade for Lebron. The question is Lebron/Harden or Lebron/Melo? I'll take Lebron/Harden over Lebron/Melo.
If it meant we would get a better player and allow us to get another max player as well, HELL YEH!!! You would have to be a moron not to do it.
