So you don't think Jones can develop a three like Love. He is young as hell and has better handles. Its not like Love brings great defense to the team. Did I mention that Jones hasn't hit puberty yet?
So the Rockets shouldn't chase Carmelo, this Summer, and try to get Love at next season's deadline, instead?
He's not opting in. No how no way. I took this interview as a sign of respect Melo has for Phil to even have the conversation. Most of the time when a max free agent is about to go into free agency, they retreat back from such conversations with front office officials for this very reason. Phil is a social mastermind. He's trying to take the business out of Melo's decision for his own benefit to try and get Melo back next year to save his own a$% & have a winning season next year. If I'm courting Melo though, I'm not too worried about Phil clouding his judgement. Melo has about as many business associates around him as Lebron. In the end its going to be a business decision and he's going to do whats best for him.
I hope we sign Melo and have our big three. I'm sick of the bs. I would like to see 3 legit threats and always having two of these threats in the game at all times will benefit us. Last but not least let's play some freaking defense let's keep teams under 95 points at least.
Here's a deal that will cut it for Love that any team will have difficulty beating without Love committing to at least opt-in for 15-16 that Morey will lay on the table even without Love committing beyond 14-15: Asik Lin Jones #25 2016 first (not protected) 2018 first (not protected) first round swap rights in 2015 (not protected) first round swap rights in 2017 (not protected) first round swap rights in 2019 (not protected) When it comes down to crunch time this is what Morey is going to put on the table for Love. And he might even decide to throw in some combination of DMo/Covington/Daniels/Canaan on top of that. Now why do I believe Morey will offer this pile of assets for Love? 1. Because Love is worth that kind of risk. 2. Because even if Love walks we'll have max free agent cap space again in 2015 to go after somebody else. 3. Because as long as Les owns this team we will never be playing for the lottery. Even if we're bad Les will have Morey doing everything in his power to squeeze into the playoffs. This is Les' modus operandi. Playoffs or bust no matter what. 4. Because other teams are going to have a difficult time beating this pile of assets without taking back Martin (long-term salary) from Minnesota and putting themselves in a position for Love to walk and leaving them cap-hamstrung with Martin's garbage contract. Sacramento's best offer? Probably Ben and #8 Laker's best offer? Probably #7 Celtics best offer? #6 #17 Best available pick between Boston's and Brooklyn's pick, Clippers pick in 2015. Likely in the 20's Best available pick between Boston's pick and Brooklyn's pick in 2016. Likely in the 20's Swap rights between Minny's pick and the swap pick rights Boston has with Brooklyn for 2017. Not an extra pick here. Just a swap. Best available pick between Boston's and Brooklyn's pick in 2018. Likely in the 20's once again. Sullinger Bass or Green Bogans non-guaranteed deal if necessary Chicago? Rights to Mirotic #16 #19 Swap pick rights with Chicago between Minny's pick and the best of Chicago/Sacramento/Cleveland pick swap in 2015. 2016 first rounder pick swap rights in 2017 between minny and Chicago 2018 first rounder -------------------------------- -------------------------------- Now....look at those deals and you tell me which one is best and why?
God I really hope Carmelo goes to the Bulls or stays in New York. Beard and Carmelo together does not work.
What is the value of the Twolves having the option of swapping picks with the Rockets? If they trade Love for that package then it's pretty much guaranteed that their pick would be much higher than ours. The likelihood of them ever exercising the swap option are so low that I wouldn't really count it as an asset.
There is no chance in hell Morey would offer that much. None. Other options are not quite as good as love, but much much cheaper. Parsons would be dangled long before that much long term risk is put out there.
Well it depends on how bad Morey wants him and what else is out there. You may be right if Melo decides to come and we can find a taker for Lin. In that case we'll be able to clear cap space to sign Melo outright or generate a sign-and-trade with PJax that involves Asik/Lin/Jones and not much else. Howeva.............if Morey really wants Love...........he will put all this on the table IF NECESSARY. But that doesn't mean it will be necessary. But Morey would be willing to pay this much for a half a season rental for the opportunity to win Love long-term, similar to what Sacramento is attempting to do. we will not trade Parsons.
No, he won't. We saw what his limits were in the Harden trade and what he passed up when Howard was traded to the lakers. I agree, parsons is unlikely to be moved, but he would be moved Long before 5 future pick obligations.
I'm with you bro. Now, this is why I hope Lebron wins another title because it will be even more apparent that Carmelo has not done shiit as part of an exclusive top 5 from the 2003 Draft. Essentially, top 4 when you omit Darko-bust. So that essentially makes him #2 behind Lebron (2 titles) and before Bosh (2 titles) and Wade (3 titles). Carmelo (Zero titles) is rich beyond belief and has won division titles and Olympic medals - 1 bronze, 2 gold. Again, he has ZERO NBA titles. He is not going to play forever and his high-level play will eventually start the inevitable age-related down-turn. Why would he not want to team up with D12, Beard and form a Big 3 to challenge the best in the West and hopefully Miami and Indy for titles! Yes, he is lacking in D, but he and the beard can work on that if they are serious about evolving as players and winning titles. The 2003 draft is known for having one of the most talented draft pools in draft history. Four of the top five picks are NBA All-Stars and "Redeem Team" Olympic Gold Medalists: Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, and LeBron James.
I wonder if we have any leverage over LeBron. Might sound crazy, but a team with Harden/Parsons/Melo/Howard would be a huge obstacle for him to overcome and could leave a stain on his legacy. For that reason, I wonder if he doesn't look at Houston as an opportunity to keep winning.
But the question is whether or not he'd pass up at a CERTAIN chance of getting Love. There's no certainty in Melo or Rondo or Aldridge. If you tell me today the Rockets are getting one of them at much cheaper price, I'd agree. But I doubt Morey would risk that. You don't become OKC and pass up a chance to create a super-team because of risks in future years.
Its not a certain chance of getting Love. Its a certain chance of getting Love's expiring contract, hoping he doesn't leave, hoping everyone stays healthy and hoping it all works out. You simply do not trade pick obligations five years out for that.
The bolded part remains the same no matter which route you take. So it doesn't really matter. The only risk for the Rockets is whether or not Love re-signs. But when factoring in the risks associated with other possibilities, I don't see any relative "sure things" with any other road. And in general Morey comes across as a gambler when it comes to stars.
Phil seemed to suggest that Carmelo leaving is a decent possibility, which I interpret to mean that he is open to trading him. As deep as the west is, Morey will be desperate and Phil can get 3-4 players + a draft pick for Melo.
