BRIGGS wrote:if we trade away all of thiose pieces and give melo 25per--that's it that's our teams with only the MLE to get better--Carmelo Anthony is not as good as Bernard King and King wasnt nearly good enought to carry the Knicks to a championship---even if you add in Amare Stuodemire

That's comitting OVER 40+mm on TWO players who have had injury issues--what kind of business move would that be---if it was lebron--thats different but Carmelo is NOT Lebron. Why cant we just drop it and let Melo play out the year--thats what i would do--either Chandler and multiple picks or play out the year./

I'm not going to worry- either this Nets trade gets done by Monday, in which case our players are safe, or Carmelo kills the deal. If the latter happens then Denver get exposed as not having anywhere near the kind of leverage they thought they had- they will have to just focus on dealing him to either Chicago or the Knicks, in which case the cost comes way down, and the threat of losing more than one of Chandler, Gallo, and AR diminishes- I don't see us getting screwed over in that case.

I'd rather just sign him in the offseason, but my main fear isn't that he might get traded and sign elsewhere (we can survive that), it's the fact that if that happens then Walsh will be kicked out and replaced by IT, who has been laying down preparations for that happening by spreading the word that Walsh isn't being aggressive enough. On the other hand if Walsh's strategy pays off and we get him for free in the offseason then IT is further exposed as a completely unsuitable GM- he would have given up Gallo, AR, Chandler, picks and more to get something Walsh will have got for free. Probabley won't make any difference to Dolan though.

Thats the reason this Melo business is so important to keep tabs on- it will directly influence how soon IT will make his come back.

Melo Has Second Thoughts On Nets As Knicks Work To Make A Deal

Sep 26, 2010 4:23 AM EST

Carmelo Anthony is continuing to push Denver to find a trade that will send him to the Knicks and has stepped back from a willingness to commit to the Nets. On Saturday, the Knicks were exploring ways to put together a package that might land Anthony.

Over the weekend, Anthony began having doubts about agreeing to a contract extension with the Nets. Yahoo! Sports reports that the four-team blockbuster that would send Anthony to New Jersey, which seemed to be gaining critical momentum on Friday night, is now at "a perilous crossroads."

Anthony’s desire to make a long-term commitment to the Nets started eroding when former Nets' players related their experiences with an empty arena, the apathy of fans, and the team playing in the shadow of the Knicks and Madison Square Garden. Anthony was already concerned about joining a team in New Jersey that would not be close to contention even with him on board.

"He’s having second thoughts on Jersey," a league source told Yahoo! Sports. "He’s pushed [Denver] to explore other options."

While the Nuggets still believe the deal with New Jersey gives them their best return, Denver engaged the Knicks on Saturday in discussions centered around Danilo Gallinari, Anthony Randolph and Toney Douglas, according to sources.

Sources indicated that the Knicks are working to pry draft picks to send the Nuggets in a deal for Anthony, and have contacted the Rockets for this purpose. Before last season's trade deadline, the Knicks sent their 2012 first-round pick to Houston, and agreed to swap picks with the Rockets in 2011, in a move to dump the contract of Jared Jeffries.

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/69285/20100926/melo_has_second_thoughts_on_nets_as_knicks_work_to_make_a_deal/#ixzz10e8G9lQL

No way do I give up all 3 of Douglas, Gallo, Randolph....I am good with Douglas and Chandler Or Douglas and Gallo OR Randolph. Interesting take on Houston and NY in there.

I like Gallo but I would not trade Gallo and Randolph. It looks like one of them is going. Hey we've got to do this deal. Houston must help us out. Let's buy a draft pick. We've got the money to buy 2 or 3 late first round picks.

Amare is great, but its not enough to get be top 4 in the east in my opinion.

What have we learned? Lebron'e and kid Bosh took less to take their talents to Wade county.

Melo just has to say to Denver: "New York or Im walking the end of the year. Take less or take nothing".

We should not focus on what the nets do. In fact its good for NY hoops if he does got Newark.

Being scared as some are of his success in Jersey is a bit wimpy.

Stay cool Donnie. Send a script of Ambien to IT's house and let him awaken when its all over.

I Also understand why everyone needs to get this done and maybe the Nets thing blows up on purpose as Melo backs out making the situation even harder for Denver.

I beg of Donnie: TD, Chandler, Eddy, Lots of money, and GS's pick or maybe two.

Or nothing. Sorry Nuggs. Nothing personal.

joec32033 wrote:

Melo Has Second Thoughts On Nets As Knicks Work To Make A Deal

Sep 26, 2010 4:23 AM EST

Carmelo Anthony is continuing to push Denver to find a trade that will send him to the Knicks and has stepped back from a willingness to commit to the Nets. On Saturday, the Knicks were exploring ways to put together a package that might land Anthony.

Over the weekend, Anthony began having doubts about agreeing to a contract extension with the Nets. Yahoo! Sports reports that the four-team blockbuster that would send Anthony to New Jersey, which seemed to be gaining critical momentum on Friday night, is now at "a perilous crossroads."

Anthony’s desire to make a long-term commitment to the Nets started eroding when former Nets' players related their experiences with an empty arena, the apathy of fans, and the team playing in the shadow of the Knicks and Madison Square Garden. Anthony was already concerned about joining a team in New Jersey that would not be close to contention even with him on board.

"He’s having second thoughts on Jersey," a league source told Yahoo! Sports. "He’s pushed [Denver] to explore other options."

While the Nuggets still believe the deal with New Jersey gives them their best return, Denver engaged the Knicks on Saturday in discussions centered around Danilo Gallinari, Anthony Randolph and Toney Douglas, according to sources.

Sources indicated that the Knicks are working to pry draft picks to send the Nuggets in a deal for Anthony, and have contacted the Rockets for this purpose. Before last season's trade deadline, the Knicks sent their 2012 first-round pick to Houston, and agreed to swap picks with the Rockets in 2011, in a move to dump the contract of Jared Jeffries.

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/69285/20100926/melo_has_second_thoughts_on_nets_as_knicks_work_to_make_a_deal/#ixzz10e8G9lQL

No way do I give up all 3 of Douglas, Gallo, Randolph....I am good with Douglas and Chandler Or Douglas and Gallo OR Randolph. Interesting take on Houston and NY in there.

If this is true then Denver is dead in the water, we should offer Curry, Wilson and fillers if they don't bite just say tough sh€t. No need to negotiate against ourselves.

eViL wrote:you absolutely can't trade more than eddy curry, wilson chandler and a pick for melo. he won't sign anywhere else. there's no losing him. we either get him now on our terms or we get him later on our terms. if the nets deal broke down it's because he doesn't want to sign there. we have nobody to bid against. we can't bid against ourselves.

Agree with you that we shouldn't overpay but I don't think we are a lock to get him. If Chicago decides to include Noah (if they can't agree on extension), that would be a bigger blow to us than the Nets getting Melo.

This kind of reminds me of the Yankees and Santana a few years back. Twins wanted the Yankees to give up a ton and the Yankees passed, knowing they could probably sign CC Sabathia in free agency as an alternative. That worked to perfection for the Yankees.

Do we do the same knowing that we can possibly sign Melo in FA or if we miss out on him, Paul is there a year later?

OjilEye wrote:Is anyone else holding on the idea that we shouldn't bother with Melo unless we can obtain him through FA-gency?
Why should we hedge our future on Melo/Amare if it means losing our athletic, young 6'10 guys in Gallo/AR with tremendous upside?

Even with Melo/Amare/Felton, this wouldn't be enough to be title contenders. We'd be entertaining to watch whether we pulled off the trade or not, so let's stick with the young guys who've either started their careers here (Douglas/Gallo) or are ready to showcase themselves and establish their career highlights for the first time in a Knick uniform.

Now, if Melo has the melons to be ALL he can be, he needs to consider this:
- Wait ONE year and gut it out in Denver. Stop the trade requestin' and whining. Exit Denver in a professional and classy manner and finish out the contract.
- With Curry's expiring contract and extra cap space to boot, NYK can welcome Melo in FA-gency with open arms
- The CBA represents a murky future that could mean a potentially smaller max contract for Melo but does that really matter when you can give your wife a home in the location of her dreams? When you can return to your hometown? When you can play for MSG and thrive off of worldwide representation and endorsements?
- Lastly, wouldn't you sacrifice a year to form a starting line-up of FELTON / GALLO / MELO / AMARE/ RANDOLPH along with backups 7'1 Mozgov, defensive-minded TD, energetic Turiaf, etc? Wouldn't you see that this would lure in names like CP3?

Carmelo for Free, or no Carmelo at All

AnubisADL wrote:

Nalod wrote:If we pay too much, melo should worry about being a bit alone here also.

Amare is great, but its not enough to get be top 4 in the east in my opinion.

What have we learned? Lebron'e and kid Bosh took less to take their talents to Wade county.

Melo just has to say to Denver: "New York or Im walking the end of the year. Take less or take nothing".

We should not focus on what the nets do. In fact its good for NY hoops if he does got Newark.

Being scared as some are of his success in Jersey is a bit wimpy.

Stay cool Donnie. Send a script of Ambien to IT's house and let him awaken when its all over.

I Also understand why everyone needs to get this done and maybe the Nets thing blows up on purpose as Melo backs out making the situation even harder for Denver.

I beg of Donnie: TD, Chandler, Eddy, Lots of money, and GS's pick or maybe two.

Or nothing. Sorry Nuggs. Nothing personal.

- We would have 2 stars in their prime. Role Players are interchangeable.

- Lebron and Bosh took less but Florida has no state income tax.

- Denver is going to get picks like Toronto and Cleveland got picks. The question is are they going to get the picks now or this summer. Carmelo can say he wont sign and extension but he has to assume all the risk and Denver gets to sell tickets for the rest of the season.

- Why are people trying to bring up Isiah. So if Walsh trades Randolph and Gallo for Melo then it is Isiah's fault?

Favor's and Kirilenko is a decent package. It think Gallo, Randolph, and Curry is comparable to that deal.

We know what Melo is.

What we don't know is what the ceiling is for Gallo. Im not thinking Larry Bird mind you, but the kid as you say "in prime" could be what we need, same for AR.

You get this done right the franchise is set for years with assets to play or top off via trade to get over the top.

Im afraid you trade Gallo/AR and change we are short and depleted for a few years.

One gets injured we are really screwed.

What we don't know is the production of our yoots.

Isiah in Dolans ear is a vision some of us don't want to see happen by which we overpay for the Starphuch.

Knixkik wrote:

martin wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

OjilEye wrote:Is anyone else holding on the idea that we shouldn't bother with Melo unless we can obtain him through FA-gency?
Why should we hedge our future on Melo/Amare if it means losing our athletic, young 6'10 guys in Gallo/AR with tremendous upside?

Even with Melo/Amare/Felton, this wouldn't be enough to be title contenders. We'd be entertaining to watch whether we pulled off the trade or not, so let's stick with the young guys who've either started their careers here (Douglas/Gallo) or are ready to showcase themselves and establish their career highlights for the first time in a Knick uniform.

Now, if Melo has the melons to be ALL he can be, he needs to consider this:
- Wait ONE year and gut it out in Denver. Stop the trade requestin' and whining. Exit Denver in a professional and classy manner and finish out the contract.
- With Curry's expiring contract and extra cap space to boot, NYK can welcome Melo in FA-gency with open arms
- The CBA represents a murky future that could mean a potentially smaller max contract for Melo but does that really matter when you can give your wife a home in the location of her dreams? When you can return to your hometown? When you can play for MSG and thrive off of worldwide representation and endorsements?
- Lastly, wouldn't you sacrifice a year to form a starting line-up of FELTON / GALLO / MELO / AMARE/ RANDOLPH along with backups 7'1 Mozgov, defensive-minded TD, energetic Turiaf, etc? Wouldn't you see that this would lure in names like CP3?

Carmelo for Free, or no Carmelo at All

Obviously best case scenario is Melo over the summer for nothing. But that is probably a pipe dream. Typically i was saying no trading Gallo and AR for Melo under any circumstances, but i have to admit i'm completely torn and change my view on the situation all the time. Yes it is a lot to deal multiple young talented players for him, but he is that 2nd max FA we have been after. The goal was to get 2 guys then build around them. Now that we have one, the race is on to get the second as quick as possible so we can start to build a team that can truly compete. The team assembled is a great young team with a ton of upside, but no doubt lacks significantly to ever make a deep playoff run. Another way to look at trading Gallo and AR for Melo is this: We basically got AR as a bonus this summer, because we knew once we signed Amare we would let Lee walk. Consider him out of the equation. Basically we are exchanging Gallo and any other fillers for two max FAs. If a year ago we knew this was the outcome we would be extremely happy. This isn't even including Felton, who could very well turn into a solid PG for a playoff team, or be upgraded to Tony Parker, which isn't possible otherwise. Once again this was the goal for the team. There will still be plenty of flexibility with only Melo, Amare, Felton, and Turiaf being on the cap after this year, and only Melo and Amare after that. It's a lot to give for 2 players, but that is the point, they are max FAs. So if this happens i'm not real pleased i have to admit, and i know most of us won't be, but it is probably the right thing to do. Now i may 2nd guess myself many times, but this is where i stand for right now, i guess.

Here are some questions that need to be answered if you choose to Trade AR/Gallo/Curry for Melo.

1) Do Melo and Amare compliment each other well enough? We have Amare, so what does Melo add besides being a volume shooter and an elite scorer? Is a passer? Does he defend? Does he stretch the defense? Seems to me that Gallo's game compliments Amare's a lot better with his outside shooting and because he doesn't demand the ball the way Melo does. Amare also is not the best defender of the rim in a way that AR is.

2) Melo would come over at the price of $18.5M next year with 3 years beyond that. If he and Amare take up $40M of a $60M salary cap, there is NOT plenty of flexibility. You mention Felton and Turiaf (and Moz, Douglas, Chandler were left out). That's just about $60, so is there really flexibility?

3) If we say that defense needs to be better to win a championship, how does adding Melo take a step in that direction?

4) How do you get over the hump of Miami with Amare, Melo, Felton?

You know what? If Lakers include 2 of their main rotation guys to get Pau Gasol (say 2 of Bynum, Odom, Ariza), they flat out don't win the 2 championships they did win. That's what Donnie should do, wait and/or give up relatively nothing.

If I'm not mistaken we are not committed to Douglas Chandler or mozgov after this season. Correct?

Well, let's put it this way. Melo: $18.5M, Amare, $18.2, Felton: $7.5M, Turiaf, $4M; total: $48.5M. You need a starting shooting guard and bench for someplace around $10M.

smackeddog wrote:Martin is asking the right questions, but the pro-sell the farm to get Melo people never seem to answer them- they seem to take the Isiah approach, which is basically, gamble everything with no contingency planning whatsoever, paint yourself into a corner and hope that s**t will work itself out!

You people make me sick!

On a side note I see now it seems Melo has maybe decided he's not going to the Nets, Denver are now talking to the Sixers about trading him for Iggy. Are they really that moronic? Why are they so steadfast against trading him to the Knicks- is it just spite or are they genuinely not interested in ANY of our players? It's just weird that they seem to be willing to talk to every other team except us- people say it's because we don't have picks, but really would a mid round Nets pick and a 8-10 Golden state pick really get them a better player than Gallo or AR? or even Chandler? Really, if the Net deal doesn't go through Denver will be left looking like idiots.

i would guess the knicks picks would be so far in the future as compared to other teams they dont feel like its worth it. a gamble on a gamble u could say.