Im willing to trade my 2018 pick that I did not trade for Lowry to any team that might be willing to trade us a mid round pick and attempt to buy a third(all in the right scenario) as in something like this

Tier 1 draft pick

Okafor Stein Mudiay Towns(in that order)

Mid 1

Kaminsky Johnson Mccullough

Late 1 Early 2 Delon Wright PG(I wrote about him last year at this time--really like him think he is a version of a 6-5 Rondo)

Jerian Grant PG

Tyler Haws SG

Obviously if we were able to trade future 1 for this year--it would depend on the tier of player. I think the days of trading 3mm for a late 1 are gone.--its most likely a 2-3mm for a high 2 which for the right player is ok.

Drafting done. I dont see us being a draft player in 2016

Free agency Free agency to me is a 3 year running job. I "want" to be ready by end of year 2 AND I want to be able to compete for the playoffs NEXT year. I believe with ONE premium free agent and perhaps one nice small level free agent WHILE retaining Amare for cheap(in addition to a calculated executed draft) should propel us back to playoff status no matter if we win 18 games this year.

2015 premium free agent(if I cant get it Ill sell my cap space for picks and or young assets. BUT I think the list is long enough that I think we can find 1. We need to find a 3-4mm player that can be a "value" find. Kind of like what the Spurs did with Danny Green etc... Its impossible to see

2016 Same as 2015 premium free agent and quality 3-5mm$ signing.

For people poo pooing the draft every good team fields series of the own drafted players--most of them with high picks. So we have a nice formation of a combo RETOOL where we can match advanced draft picks with 2-3 proven stars and 2-3 mid tier players who fit the team.

Bonn1997 wrote:Melo's going to be in his 15th or 16th year by the time the guy we draft even might be playing at an all-star level. It doesn't make sense. I think you're going to have to trade either Melo (if he allows it) or the pick.

Or Melo is just Dolans cash cow until this new team built around drafted players and younger FA's comes together in a couple years...When the cap explodes upwards and the young guns are ready to make noise Melo is an aging player on a contract that all of a sudden isn't too bad. Hey I can dream right?!

I agree trading Melo to a contender of his choice is the best option. Would he agree to it? Maybe if he gets miserable enough!

NardDogNation wrote:I do think it might be possible to reload fairly quickly. As I've said in the past, Denver's going to start to hemorrhage talent that are fits in our system. There is a realistic possibility that we could end up signing (and/or trading) Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, Aaron Afflalo, Wilson Chandler and Darrel Arthur who will all be free agents in either 2015 or 2016. They might not be much under Shaw but if you put them next to Melo, I think they are the makings for an Eastern Conference contender.

Groundhog Day?

gunsnewing wrote:Unfortunately teams are going to jump at the opportunity to hose us for our top draft pick and if history proves correct we will pull the trigger on a Josh Smith for OK4 trade

Bonn1997 wrote:

NardDogNation wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:Melo's going to be in his 15th or 16th year by the time the guy we draft even might be playing at an all-star level. It doesn't make sense. I think you're going to have to trade either Melo (if he allows it) or the pick.

If it takes the pick that long to develop, it'd be tough **** for Melo. We need to start worrying about the future because the present isn't exactly too reassuring.

Well, I just looked back at the last 10 1st picks again. If we ignore Wiggins since it's too early to judge him, 4 of the last 9 were all-stars by their 2nd season. So there might be a 4 in 9 chance that the guy would be an all-star by Melo's 14th season. That's not as bad but I still think the odds would favor trading the pick or Melo if the goal is to actually build a championship contender.

Trading a top tier draft pick is as stupid as it gets unless you were getting back a top 10 talent. At some point you need "cost effective players" and the best way to find those is through drafting. Every player cant be a max player. We have "free agency money" for those types. You need both to win its proven on every good team. The WORST business model is to grab 3-4 players on max contracts ala the Knicks and Nets. You need trades free agency and drafting to win. If it came down to it it would be better to jetison Melo but at 30 years old--why doesnt he have 4-5 years left at a solid level? With a great draft two premium free agnets over the next two years a couple of good trades and a couple of good second tier free agents 3-5mm why cant we be right back up there?

Bonn1997 wrote:Melo's going to be in his 15th or 16th year by the time the guy we draft even might be playing at an all-star level. It doesn't make sense. I think you're going to have to trade either Melo (if he allows it) or the pick.

I believe Melo is on-board with the strategy. He continues to spew positive messages in the media despite how bad thing are. Also, you have to assume that they discussed the possibility of this happening this season (their off-season moves echo that). Some have questioned if this strategy could work, but the Spurs started to build longevity through a similar move (although driven by injury) the year they got Duncan. Adding a top pick, a top FA, a mid FA, and other picks/MLE players would make us a contender next year in the East.

Bonn1997 wrote:

SwishAndDish13 wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:Melo's going to be in his 15th or 16th year by the time the guy we draft even might be playing at an all-star level. It doesn't make sense. I think you're going to have to trade either Melo (if he allows it) or the pick.

I believe Melo is on-board with the strategy. He continues to spew positive messages in the media despite how bad thing are. Also, you have to assume that they discussed the possibility of this happening this season (their off-season moves echo that). Some have questioned if this strategy could work, but the Spurs started to build longevity through a similar move (although driven by injury) the year they got Duncan. Adding a top pick, a top FA, a mid FA, and other picks/MLE players would make us a contender next year in the East.

Well I added more after you replied but it's a bad gamble - due to Melo's age and wear and tear (see above). I don't have any reason to think he'll age as well as Duncan and Ginobili. They were in better shape and playing fewer minutes.

I am personally more concerned about the minutes then Melo's conditioning. He had logged insane minutes and been rather durable, speaks to conditioning IMO. If we get a top pick this year and add pieces, I don't think it's a huge gamble as you can be competitive with a nice mix of veterans and young players. This is way better than FA all-in strategies that have failed in the past and a pure draft rebuild, which could take forever if you miss at all.

NardDogNation wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:

NardDogNation wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:Melo's going to be in his 15th or 16th year by the time the guy we draft even might be playing at an all-star level. It doesn't make sense. I think you're going to have to trade either Melo (if he allows it) or the pick.

If it takes the pick that long to develop, it'd be tough **** for Melo. We need to start worrying about the future because the present isn't exactly too reassuring.

Well, I just looked back at the last 10 1st picks again. If we ignore Wiggins since it's too early to judge him, 4 of the last 9 were all-stars by their 2nd season. So there might be a 4 in 9 chance that the guy would be an all-star by Melo's 14th season. That's not as bad but I still think the odds would favor trading the pick or Melo if the goal is to actually build a championship contender.

I get what you're saying. And for the record, I support trading Melo, as much as I like him. But it can't be some ridiculous contract dump like some are speculating. I need legitimate prospects and picks. If Rondo/Boston keep up their play,I think the Celtics would be a perfect match.