wargames wrote:So Melo wrote #staymelo on his instagram reply to Phil Jackson.Basically I wanted to ask everyone's opinion of what happens if Melo refuses to waive the NTC? Do they bench him, cut him, severely limit his minutes. Like what are the options if he decides he doesn't care being on a rebuild team to end his career?
It depends, if it made Dolan fire Phil, then disaster- we're stuck with declining Melo for the next 2 years, hogging the ball, not playing defense, taking all the last game shots, teaching KP how to be more like him. Honestly, the steps back KP has made this season have all been about him playing more like Melo- no defense, jacking up bad shots, complaining about management etc Melo is mentoring him to be the second coming of him.
The new GM would likely reverse course and try to appease Melo, that means 'committing to winning' (i.e. screwing over the franchise long term to chase the 8th seed).
if it didn't mean Phil was fired then I'd just let Melo know we won't be reneweing him when his contract runs out and that he'll be playing off the bench for 25mins per game.