[Windhorst] Daryl Morey is not done; is trying to get Melo and Paul George

Yeah I just wasn't sure if the cap was such that we could sign him outright but it's obviously not

 

...technically it's still a possibility until July 1st but yes - your right, seems like the odds of unloading Ryan Anderson and other to clear cap space without taking on additional cap space after July 1 is slim....but don't count out Morey getting something done before July 1 if the Jazz know they are losing Gordon anyway.

 

I was thinking about Kelly though...if we just got him, can we still trade him in a package for Millsap?

 

Melo would shoot 3pt fg at 40% in Houston with Harden and Chris Paul.

You would have one of those guys on the court all times to get him open shots. Add that with pick and roll to the rim with Capela. Open shots all day.

 

Dear New York,
We all know your franchise has been nothing but a stain on the NBA for the better part of the decade. The least you can do to contribute to the quality of the league is to buy out Melo so that the fans of this sport can hope to watch some decent playoff basketball.

Signed,
NBA fans

 

Realistically the only way we could give him the max is in a trade and the only way we could trade for him is we do it before July 1st. The possibility exists to free up cap room in FA, but given the Rockets' assets, it's not very likely they would be able to clear out enough room to offer a max since most teams would want something of value in return for absorbing our cap money.

 

maybe Rockets can send some "minor" assets NYK way in exchange for taking a small contract off their books... with the wink-wink knowledge that Melo will be bought out and Rockets knowing he'll sign with them at minimum. I mean I guess they could trade Nene plus 2020 first for Kuzimingas. Knicks get option to resign Nene or cap space of $3 million (not that $ matters that much to them). If Nene walks Rockets can resign (though would have to dip into a bucket at that point). Melo bought out.

So in effect Rockets are just trading their rights to Nene and a future first for Melo...

 

But they could have that Andersen salary dump trade (attach Aliza) still up their sleeve to ring to a Hayward meeting?

 

How much of an upgrade is Paul George over EG? I would rather keep EG. Good teams have a solid bench. Rockets bench would get quite thin after trading Lou and EG.

 

Knicks are not buying a late first for 30 million dollars.

 

Feigen:

In other moves, the Rockets acquired Ryan Kelly from the Hawks, Shawn Long from the 76ers and Tim Quarterman from the Trail Blazers in cap management moves and potentially as part of another deal. The Rockets have been among the teams in talks with the Indiana Pacers about a deal for Paul George.

The Rockets have no qualms about trading for George as he enters the final season of his contract, a person with knowledge of the team's thinking said.​

 

I get that perspective.

But then again, who is giving them anything for Melo?

Their alternative is to keep him and play with him... but why?

 

Sell Millsap on the idea to join the best backcourt in the league!! Millsap would be the ultimate

 

Melo in NY makes profit with ticket sales from tourists and merchandise. Much better than paying 30 milion to not have him there.

 

Zach Lowe:

Houston is not done star-chasing, either. They will beat down Indiana's door for Paul George, though they may not have enough -- either on their own, or in conjunction with a third team. Boston, Cleveland, and the Lakers should be able to beat an offer of Eric Gordon, salary filler, and a top-3 protected Houston future first-round pick. (The salary filler probably can't be Trevor Ariza, by the way. Ariza and Paul are close after years together in New Orleans, and playing with Ariza factored at least a little into Paul's decision, per league sources. The Clippers had tried to trade for him in prior seasons, sources say. Ariza is also still good at a coveted position, and his Bird Rights will be valuable to a capped-out Rockets team next summer.)

Carmelo Anthony is a different matter. If the Knicks buy him out -- and they shouldn't, but we are talking about the Kazoos -- he could soak up a lot of power forward minutes in working as Team USA Melo, spotting up around stud ball-handlers. He would also be an interesting, borderline switch-proof pick-and-roll partner for both Harden and Paul, but we are getting ahead of ourselves.​

 

The $30 million is out the door in any case. Though perhaps with a buyout the actual cash amount will be less though cap hit will be the same.

So they kind of have to look past that and ask themselves (1) are they trying to get good [one would assume yes, Porzgod is probably as important from a marketing perspective as Melo at this point, if not more. Porzingis was #7 in jersey sales... Melo is not in the top 15... interestingly Rose was 12th ... he kind of has that streetball type following], (2) if so how to do that in the best way, which includes the do we keep Melo conversation.

I think everyone would agree they should move on from Melo, but its a matter of return.

Will anyone give them anything of value in return for Melo?? Seems unlikely, but who knows.

 

To me millsap just seems like a guy out there. A good guy. But a guy.

 

We keep hearing this, but now that we have Paul, I wonder if Ainge and Lebron are thinking about stepping aside to allow Morey to amass a team that potentially could beat GSW and make life easier for Eastern teams in the Finals.

Hear me out: If Ainge and CLE believe George is just a rental, and they have any interest in trying to improve to beat GSW, why not just let the Rockets beat them, or at least wear them down in a contested WCF, especially if Boston can actually get Hayward. This versus trying to outbid Morey on a rental....which Ainge might not do regardless.