Thinking about a Melo to Cleveland scenario - a deal could be structured that would allow Melo to collect his entire 8.1 million trade kicker. Perhaps, if he can be convinced that a deal with Houston is impossible, this would be a good alternative?
The deal could be structured as:
Melo
Lee
For
Love
Shump
Frye
Osman
Jefferson
Felder
This deal would allow Melo to collect the full kicker - For trade purposes, the incoming salary to Cleveland would be 46,091,650 and the outgoing salary would be 46,855,809 - So Cleveland would actually save a few $ (760K) against their cap - In real dollars, they'd save $8.8 million in actual salary payments, because the Knicks are the ones who have to pay the kicker - Cleveland has to carry Melo on their cap at the higher salary, but they're only responsible for paying his pre-kicker salary.
A Melo-Love straight up swap may not have been palatable to Cleveland in the past, but perhaps the monetary savings, plus the additional value gained by swapping Shumpert for C.Lee make up for any perceived loss of value from swapping Melo for Love.
From Melo's perspective, he gets an extra $8 million this year and a chance to play for a championship with his buddy. Then he can re-assess at year end. If Lebron indicates he's staying in Cleveland, Melo can either opt in for one more year, or opt out and sign a longer term extension. And if Lebron bolts, Melo can opt in and then try to negotiate a buyout (like Wade did this year), or try to get himself traded.
The Knicks come out of this okay as well - Love can start next to KP or more likely get moved in a separate trade for youth/picks/expirings, either now or at the deadlime. Ditto Shumpert. Frye is an expiring. Osman a decent young piece. Jefferson and Felder (non-guaranteed) probably waived.