Honestly, with the cap moving up to 5m, it actually hurts us because now many more teams will be in the play of signing for Melo without giving out assets to trade for him
Why would a team sign and trade for Melo if they can just sign him, especially if Melo is willing to take "less"
I don't think we will be getting back as much as we want for Melo at this point because of the above
Melo needs much talent around him, I don't see how we can ever succeed unless Melo is willing to take a pay cut to stay in on the NYK's
However, if he is added to a team full of talent, versatile players, good defensive players, and other "ALL STAR's, he could be a great addition to go with their core
I think Dolan has given full control to Phil Jackson, Dolan has previously said "PHIL JACKSON, Will be making all basketball decisions"
Why hire Phil Jackson at 10-12m per year if Dolan is going to pay Melo the max possible that will leave little to no room for improvement, something he can do without Phil Jackson
I see Phil Jackson offering a deal constructed something like
Next season (because of the shoulder injury Melo might reconsider NOT opting out of his contract when he realizes NO ONE will pay him a MAX contract)
Maxish, 23-25m+ (Melo can NOT opt out and just resign a 3 year deal)
23-25m+ (depending on if he opts out and resigns or just extends his deal)
10m (2015-16 UFA's like Kevin Love, Aldridge, Dragic, Parker, and many good STAR's and great role players many others)
10m (most notable FA's would be both Durant and Noah who would be perfect in the triangle, especially if we can get Love in 2015)
MAXISH
MAXISH (if extended and not resigned he will not get the extra year and going CA's history, he will want that extra year)
This deal would still be in the 100m range for 5 years, I honestly don't see CA getting a better deal than this, while this leave room for Phil Jackson to surround CA with the STAR's, Role players, and talent needed to conted
Maybe a player option or team option for Melo after 2016
Houston and Bulls could trade for Melo but they could also just clear salary by using the amnesty and/or trading other players to another team for a trade exemption to clear up room as well. As for the Rockets, does anyone know FOR SURE if both Lin and Asik's contract next summer would be 8m+ or the 15m? It makes a big difference for both Houston and NYK's as possible trading partners