The NY Post speculates that the lack of a state tax gives the Rockets an edge over the Knicks in the Carmelo Derby: “If Carmelo Anthony becomes a free agent next July, the Knicks might have to contend with Houston — and Texas’ lack of a state income tax. LeBron James, when he signed with the Heat, chose to play in a state — Florida — without a state income tax. According to Yahoo, Anthony recently talked more ‘enthusiastically’ about the Rockets as a possible destination more so than the Knicks. That has no effect on where Anthony could be traded if the Nuggets decide to deal Anthony. At February’s trading deadline, Denver will have 29 other teams to pick from — and Anthony’s preference probably is no factor. Anthony reportedly met with Denver’s ownership over the weekend, with no resolution on whether he will sign the three-year, $65 million contract extension on the table. Amar’e Stoudemire has made strong indications Anthony regards the Knicks as his top choice.”
You would think the exposure he would get in NYC would at least balance out in the lower cost of living in Texas. Just imagined Melo in Rockets red next to DM giving his reason for wanting to come to Houston.
Players spend gobs of cash just to increase their profile. In that way, accepting higher taxes in NY is just the price of doing business. I continue to be skeptical of Carmelo genuinely preferring us to NY. Unless, of course, he'd prefer to avoid the intense scrutiny that goes along with playing there.
There goes Daryl again...leaking things to the media such as Texas having no state income tax. -Desperate Knicks Blogger
I know it's been discussed numerous times but couldn't you combat this argument with the "If Melo doesn't give the 'okay I'll resign with this team', why would we waste our assets to trade for him."
Yeah, clearly this Morey guy has no understanding of how state income taxes work. The State of Texas is a joke!
I totally agree so the list of teams that would be willing to trade for him will be very small. So far there will only be about 5 teams willing to trade for him.
Well, this is really not true, but neither does it matter if Anthony likes Houston more than the Knicks. Not many teams will trade for Anthony without an extension, so the list of suitors is going to be confined to the teams on Anthony's list of acceptable destinations. At the same time, when he makes a list, every team on the list will be equal. If New York is acceptable and they give Denver the best trade, he'll go to New York, even if he likes Houston better. So, I don't understand the hysteria of what is Anthony's first choice, what did he sound most enthusiastic about, or whatever. This is merely a binary condition -- will he sign the extension or not?
If Melo wants to come to Houston, and to Houston only, Houston will have all the leverage. Like it's been said before, no team will give up assets at the trade deadline for a half year rental. Denver will HAVE to trade him to Houston if they don't want him to walk away and get nothing in return. If I were Morey, I would offer Battier, Jeffries, Hill, and only ONE draft pick (our 2012 first rounder, not New York's). Tell Denver to take it or leave it.
yeah the statement that the Nuggets will trade Melo to whomever they like regardless of preference is flat out wrong. The only thing that really makes Carmelo Anthony attractive to most teams is the contract extension he would sign before being traded. That's his leverage and that's what brings out the good deals loaded with assets that Denver wants. Denver sending him somewhere not on his list = no extension = less value coming back. Much like the leverage Chris Bosh had over Toronto. And like Chris Bosh, i think Melo will go to the team of HIS choosing.
By the way, this is assuming that Melo agrees to an extension. No way in hell Morey does this trade without the extension.
I wholeheartedly disagree with the article on this point. Melo has every say in where he goes, because all he has to do is say he will not sign an extention with teams A, B, C, and D. Those teams in turn will not give up anything of value.
I disagree on this. I think Morey might think he could convince that the Rockets were the best choice and that he should sign with us once traded here, if there was no extension. But if Melo is already genuinely showing interest in the team, this shouldn't be a problem at all.
