Folks, the Miami thing was both an aberration and done outta necessity on all the parties involved. Fans trying to reset their expectations that superstars are going to take less are just going to wind up frustrated.
The uncertainly of the CBA gives Denver leverage (there is NO escaping that fact) and gave Anthony motivation.
Yes, it would be nice if we could remove the CBA from the equation, which would give Anthony and the Knicks the tools to strong-arm the Nuggets, but it just isn't the case.
Anyway arguing that Anthony should just go all-in on the Knicks and the Knicks should wait for Denver's phonecall at the deadline is assuming with certainty that the strategy would work.
This is a player's league, always has been, which is exactly why every 5 to 7 years the owners try to get tough, because they KNOW they are at the player's mercy every year in-between.
Again, even accounting for the fact James and Bosh took less FOR Miami, look at what happened to the Cavs and Raptors. Look at what happened and is happening to the Nets. This is a PLAYER's league.
Carmelo Anthony does not play in a vacuum, he plays in a competitive market, and his ability makes him a MAX player.
Doesn't matter that he isn't the distributor James is, or a great defensive player, or a ace behind the arc. He plays in a league with 30 teams all competing against one another. That means he's gonna get max money at the end of the day.
Miami was a once-in-history circumstance and Anthony is going to be paid like who is he, one of the games best 10 players.
Accepting these inescapable truisms is going to make this trade go down a LOT easier.