So we lost in the WCF due to a pulled hammy. Otherwise, we likely would be crowing about our third title these days. That left Morey with a HUGE dilemma: Try to improve greatly over a 65-win team that came up just short? Or try to keep the band together, make minor changes and see if we can get over the hump? Obviously, the FO wasn't convinced we had what it takes to make another title run as is, or at least not to get past the Warriors. The focus turned to adding a third start, with LeBron and now Carmelo taking up valuable time and resources. Hard to know what to offer Ariza/Luc/Clint if you don't know what third star is coming on board and how they'll get here. I have faith in Morey's ability to put together another solid team, but it sure is agonizing watching this process play out.
Improve greatly, have to trade for stars now. Kawhi or Butler Improve the rosters is the only way we can win the championship next 2 years.
Melo is not a star though. At best he's a break-glass-in-emergency iso-cannon these days, a la 2015 Joe johnson. I would have been fine with adding that but not at the cost of clearing out the wing rotation for him when he's not even a wing anymore.
I'm convinced Morey knows this and is acting accordingly. Get Melo and a couple of 3&D rotation players, then dump Ryan at the trade deadline. If Melo doesn't prove to be the right fit here, we don't have to worry about paying him next year. In fact, we can deal him at the deadline for a 1st-rounder. Then next year jump back into the super-FA market again.
i'm convinced everything this offseason is geared towards reducing lux tax. they had to honor the CP3 contract situation from when he agreed to opt in last year. plus stars like him still make tilman money. but they are definitely sacrificing wins and success to save $$$ now.
I dont think Melo is an improvment TEAM wise over Luc and Ariza....I think it is a step backwards. DD
