HofstraBBall wrote:nyknickzingis wrote:You probably could get a team with capspace to take Calderon this summer. He's easily still a very good veteran point guard to have, a coach's pick type, and with so many teams have massive amounts of capspace, a salary dump will be quite easy. I think we'd be able to get a 2nd round pick even. However I'd only do that if I got verbal agreements from free agents.Durant isn't coming to a lottery team with a prime star in decline. Melo is being paid 25, 27, 28 million over the next 3 years and he's not shown great health or value as a player. He's far better off sticking with Westbrook.
I do think we can make a great case for the advantages - one being that if you add him to the roster instead of Afflalo/Calderon, with Galloway/Grant as PG's, you're likely the 2nd best team in the East. In the East with KD added to Melo/KP in NY, we'd be in line to make a Finals run right away. In the West, got to go through Golden State, San Antonio, Clippers. Been hard for them. Since Harden left, they haven't been back to the Finals. Then you could make a case of being the next Pippen/Jordan with Melo/KD. Another case, NY market and being the man in NY - bringing success back here what it does for you. Next up, KP. Porzingis is only scratching the potential of what he can do. Finally, Fisher. He has a great relationship with Fish. Trust with a coach. What would Jordan and Kobe be without Triangle culture and Phil Jackson? Ringless possibly.
I see it as a long shot, unlikely. We should definitely go all out and try though. The killer for us is the standings. Even though NY is much improved, we're in a tough spot to make the playoffs. Durant isn't going to feel all giddy about joining a team that won 36-40 games, finished 10th in the East from being 3rd in the West and having won 55 games. No matter what he thinks of Porzingis, Phil, and Fisher I don't see him making that jump.
I do think he would be great great fit in the Triangle. Everything that is wrong with his pairing
with Westbrook is solved with what is done with the Triangle. And defensively, the versatility of having Porzingis, Durant and Melo up front with Grant and Galloway in the back, would be something.
You say there is no way KD is coming to NY but in the very next paragraph you say that we can make a great case for him to come here? And "we would be the second best team with backcourt of Grant and Galloway"? Wow, from D league caliber players to second best in NBA? As for"where would Jordan and Kobe be without the triangle, ringless?"....wow. I guess probaly on a winless teams? Lebron seems okay without either. Sorry but those are some outlandish comments. And you bag Melo as a deteriorating player but say he could fill the Pippen role? Pretty high expectations if he is in fact on a decline.
As for KD coming here, will agree with you, i think, wont happen. OKC and Washington are closer to winning and he has deeper roots in both. Unfortunate because KD is a great player that would fit in any system. We would have been lucky to get him. No question he would play well next to Melo. We all have to get that Melo is here to stay and that it seems he will play well with any addition to the team. He is finally playing the best team ball of his career.
It will take a lot more than just one player, Im sure Sixer fans, T-wolf fans, etc etc are all saying if they just added KD they would win it all. Ummm.. NO. Lots of changes need to happen for us. I like Galloway bit he has been inconsistent, typical of lower tier players. Grant has looked like a shaking high school kid playing in his first game in front of a crowd and can't hit a 15 foot jumper. Needs a lot of improvement before we name him a starter, let alone one of the best in the league. AA just too one dimensional. We need solid NBA guards that can defend and hit a consistent jump shot. They will be out there and don't have big names or price tags. Need a solid back up center and for Rolo to keep improving on offense. Need KP to keep improving as well and not settling for threes. His body will hopefully build up and his post up game needs improvement. Better consistent outside shooter for second unit. Etc. We need lots of things but good news is, think we are headed in the right direction.
I'm not sure anymore that Washington has a better case to make than NY. The Wiz have some nice pieces but NY having Porzingis and his tantalizing future evens the odds A LOT. That and Beal not exactly living up to his potential so far. Again not saying the Knicks are a better team now, but NY, for once (!) have a bright future if Porzingis becomes what he is capable of becoming. He could be a top 5 player, top 20 as his floor is almost a surety barring injury IMO. I think the choice between DV and NY is a lot closer than some people think.
Durant, KP, NewMelo frontcourt with some added solid backcourt help and only CLE stands in NY's way to the finals. Durant on Washington is also a contender but simply because they'd have Durant. Durant with KP and Melo (assuming he continues his Renaissance) could be epic. it makes sense for him
To go east. If that's the case i believe Washington or NY are the choice he will make.
