I think we'll blow any NY offer out of the water. Carmelo would have to flat out narrow his list to them for that to happen IMO. Gallo and Chandler are decent, but c'mon -- they have nothing else to sweeten the deal. If NJ offers Lopez, the Nuggets would be crazy to not agree in an instant. Favors and Harris would also be a nice package ... but any of those being traded leaves NJ with little support around Melo. Which brings up the issue of whether or not he'd really want to go there. Ultimately, I could see Houston having to absorb some extra salary to give them the clear edge. Either that, or swing AB in a three-way to land the Nuggets something else.
this seems like a solid strategy, but one woudl still suspect a Rockets offer would be competitive, because they can offer multiple near term draft picks and while no one with Favors long term upside, a player like Brooks or Martin who should have a number of solid seasons left. Consider the Nuggets could have Brooks + their own 1st rounder this year + Rockets first rounder this year (right to swap included) + Rockets or Knicks first rounder in 2012 + their own first rounder in 2012 + whatever filler the Rockets added to sweeten the deal (i.e. Budinger). They would still have Billups to trade to pick up more assets / picks. If they have a semi-competent scouting department, they could rebuild fairly quickly. Now, if the Nuggets could get Favors, salary relief and a near term pick from the Nets, then that would be a no brainer. Don't know if it will happen.
1. I think they prefer not, but probably not going to be the determining factor. Maybe a tie-breaker if Denver truly doesn't prefer one team's offer to that of another team. Also, I think whether WC vs. EC matters depends on how Denver wants to approach its immediate future going forward. Specifically, do they "start over" with as many young players and highest picks as possible or do they want to stay competitive. I can see them go either way. Even without Melo, they still have Billups and Nene and can stay competitive. It matters more in the latter case than in the former. 2. It depends on a few factors such as what the Nuggest value and what the Rockets are willing to offer. If Nuggets want to start over, I'd think any deal including Favors + some 1st round picks (I doubt they actually get Lopez AND Favors, by the way) would be my preference if I were them. NJ might hesitate on including Favors, though, and Melo might hesistate to go to NJ if they deplete the already below-par team too much (I mean, it was a 12 win team after all). The Rockets might be able to beat that, depending on how Nuggets view the players. They can probably offer some combo of Brooks (Denver can trade Chauncey for some youth in the "starting over" event and have Brooks and Lawson compete for the starting PG role or flip Brooks to a third team for value), Budinger, Hill, Patterson, and 1st round picks in 2011 (higher of Knicks and Rockets), 2012 (higher of Knicks and Rockets), and 2013 (their own). I am not sure if the Knicks can compete with the other two teams. Gallo is nice, and might become a Rashard/Hedo-type guy, but Knicks don't have anything else of value, not even draft picks until 2014. I think the picks are important to a team trying to "start over." But who knows, If the Nuggs want to stay competitive, then I think the Rockets can give them Martin + a couple of young guys and or picks. Martin isn't quite Melo, but he's a 20+ppg guy who can take on the load. Lots of factors out there still to be determined.
The Nets have a ton of picks, actually, including a top 7 protected pick from GSW, so they can probably compete with Rockets in terms of number of picks offered... now how high the picks are I don't quite know... would be good if something bad happen to NYK. In any case, I agree with you and Nike and Favors would be the best young propsect out there, or at least the highest ceiling one. So I am thinking a realistic way for Morey to play it would be to let Denver make the trade with NJ, which results in Denver entering into rebuilding mode, and then trade some of Houston's youth or picks for Billups (or Nene, if available).
Nuggets4 has always been a good poster, and I think it sucks for Denver fans that Carmelo is forcing a trade. Same goes for fans in Cleveland and Toronto. This really has been the Summer of star players crapping on their most loyal supporters, and the craziness has to end. The NBA desperately needs a franchise tag or they risk permanently losing some of their best fans.
My proposal: Trade One: Trevor Ariza TPE for Chris Andersen (4.5m) Trade Two: Carmello Anthony (17.15m) for Jared Jeffries (6.8m x 1.15 (kicker) = 7.91m) Jordan Hill (2.67m) Chase Budinger (.78m) Chuck Hayes (1.97m) Jermaine Taylor (.78m) 3 Million Cash Both NY Picks Total = 14.11m Nuggets save 7.5m immediatley and 15m with tax implications. They get Hill, Bud, Taylor and 2 potential lottery picks to start rebuilding. Hayes is probably not a rebuilding piece per say, but is a great influence on the youngsters. They dump 35 yr old Andersens long term deal in the process. They would still be about 5 million over the tax line, but could probably give away Smith at the dealine to escape the penalty. They would have a core of Lawson, Afflalo, Budinger, Hill, Taylor and 2 lottery picks to build on. Alternatively, instead of Hayes, the Rockets could give up Patterson if its not enough. Is it better than what NY or NJ could offer? I don't know, because I dont know what they are offering.
Why do so many people want to include Hill in a potential deal than Patterson? What makes Patterson better?
He's newer and we want to see our shiny new toy some first. Jordan Hill is that used copy of video game you are trading in to Game Stop.
Interesting responses here. If I can speak honestly here (and I know I can because, well, I always do), I think you guys are over-valuing some of your assets a little too much. You do have more assets than the Knicks, but honestly if NJ throws one of the "big three" mentioned I'm not sure you guys can top that offer. But then again, you have to remember that I am not an Aaron Brooks fan at all and -- more importantly -- my opinion doesn't affect what the Nuggets do at all. In the last few days, I've learned two things: * Unless something dramatically changes, Melo won't be traded to the Knicks. Now obviously, I could be wrong on this but I never really saw an attractive option for trade from the Knicks (even though I love Gallo, that's not even close to enough). The little bit of info I'm hearing from people locally re-enforces that belief even more. * There is one team that no one has mentioned that I think will make a run at Melo. And I honestly think he could be going there. Sounds like the Nugs have chosen a GM and are preparing to bunker down over the next few days. I wouldn't be surprised to see this resolved in the next week. Which now means this will drag on for the next 3 months...
Fair enough. And fully agreed, if NJ puts out Favors or Lopez as the center of a package, that will be hard to top. I'm personally not as big on Devin Harris. I think the value of the Rockets as trade partners is we can offer a pretty wide gamut of pieces (lottery pick bigs, scoring wings, scoring guards, cap relief, extra first rounders), but not necessarily a franchise type of player. Basically, I think it comes to whether you want to tie your Carmelo returns to a guy like Favors becoming a star and not just a Tyrus Thomas, or come out with 3 guys who will be in your rotation, likely starters even, but probably won't make the all star team. And I wouldn't sleep on 20 ppg scorers who can shoot 40% from 3, no matter what there other flaws are. (Did I describe JR Smith on a good day?) You're just going to drop that hint with nothing more? At least give us a conference and what type of assets they'd throw your way.
I'd be surprised if he goes anywhere but the Knicks. If that is the single team he will sign an extention with, you are going to get very good offers - kind of like the current NYK offer you are hearing about. So you either take that offer, take an offer with a team willing to take him for a 1 year rental (expect even less), scare the NYKs into upping the offer with rumors of other teams, or let him walk for nothing.
Can't. Honestly can't. Sorry. First because I don't have it on direct authority (more of a round-about version than anything else), secondly because I haven't even seen this team mentioned nationally. I know how big this site is. I know how secretive the Nugs front office is. I don't want to say anything that could blow up in the team's face when it comes to negotiations. He's mentioned there are other team's he'd sign with. I honestly don't think he will be a Knick.
Big three? I think Lopez or Favors are more valuable than any individual player likely offered by Houston for sure, but Harris is kind of maxed out as a 2nd tier combo guard. Not bad, but not all that special, either. I agree about Brooks. A second tier combo guard, too, except much smaller than Harris. Great news for Rockets. For the sake of the draft picks, Morey is probably hoping for anything but the Knicks. Let me guess.... Charlotte? They can offer Gerald Wallace, as good a replacement SF as you can hope for as well as the ability to use the non-guaranteed Dampier contract to eat what remains on KMart's deal. Immediate relief on team salary (and maybe tax, too?). Go Drama! By the way, did you hear about the Melo wanting Lawson instead of Billups to start news? Do you think maybe the resolution is Melo end up staying with Billups being moved for some pieces to appease Melo? I have had a feeling that Billups is more of "Morey's type" than Melo. If that's the case, sure. But why would they want the Knicks and no one else? We'll see, but reports are other teams are fine by him, too, if he gets the extension.
I saw that post, but my comment in the thread has been ignored. I need more verification than someone saying "I heard on the radio". I'm hardly the biggest Melo fan right now (I still think Carmelo Van Exel is a perfectly fine nickname thankyouverymuch), but that doesn't sound like something he would do. He really likes Chauncey from everything I've heard and really respects him.
I'm guessing Orlando is the other team for some reason. Seems like a good destination for Melo, good players and organization, and a rivalry with "South Beach."
Sorry for the bump, but Nuggets4, do you have any new info about the Denver's new GM gig? Or any possible new info about what they are doing with Melo? It's been 4 days since your last post and I'm going through withdrawls.
Casting a wide net, I think the total list of suitors may be: Knicks (put not really in the game at all) Nets Rockets Bulls Magic Hornets Clippers Mavs Celtics Last two being pure speculation on my part. Melo's made it clear what he wants, so while I'm sure the Cavs and Raptors may dangle their massive TEs his direction, he'll give them the same love Bosh showed Morey. The Celtics are well aware that they need rejuvenate their roster before they repeat the descent into irrelevancy they had at the end of the Bird/McHale era. Doubt Denver is too interested in overpaid washed up vets, though. Mavs are dangling Chandler, Butler and a pick, I'm dead certain of it. I'd be stunned if Cuban hasn't been calling nonstop. Nets aren't offering Lopez. Not happening, won't happen. Harris makes little sense on a team with Billups and Lawson. It should be Favors and Troy Murphy with a pick. Magic would be pushing Vince Carter. Bulls would dangle Deng and maybe Gibson. Hornets have limited assets, but might be talking David West. Clippers are probably using the wrong area code when they call. "Well, we were willing to talk to you guys...but then we saw someone mention you about us on Clutchfans - NO DEAL" LOL I don't think anyone gets fired if you post that you think Dallas or some other team might get into the bidding.
The Nuggets are gonna have to keep searching for a new GM. The frontrunner, Dave Griffin, turned down the job. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5495214
