Jrshoops wrote:http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=ycpfneu8

This plus we get a first rounder unprotected from Houston (maybe 2-3 years away to hopefully get better pick as they age).

Ntilikina/Sessions/Baker
Hardaway/Turner/Dotson/Baker
Ariza/Harkless/Kuz/Turner
KP/Leonard/Kornet
Willy/Noah/Leonard/Kornet

Turner is a big contract we pick up, but he's a team player and plays defense. We build around KP/Frank/Willy and improve our defense with Ariza and Harkless. Biggest mistake was signing Baker to that contract, unless he improves enough to replace Sessions next year as the primary backup PG.If Ariza plays well, and Harkless shows enough promise to take over the starting SF position, we could trade Ariza to a contender by the deadline and pick up a 2nd rounder. Otherwise, keep him on a decent contract to end his career as a backup as he ages. Trevor is a good team player.

Houston improves for the right now.

Paul/Brown/Taylor
Harden/Lee/Quarterman
Tucker/Mbah a Moute
Melo/Capela/Black
Nene/Capela/Black

Portland gets rid of the Meyers Leonard contract and the overpaid Turner's contract as well. They get their talented scoring PF in the overpaid Anderson but he helps them compete better in the West. They also pick up some cheap contracts in good players Kyle O'Quinn and Lance Thomas, who can be good rotation players for them. Lance can be a glue guy on a better team. They get the best 6th man in the league in Gordon.

Lillard/Gordon/Napier
McCollum/Gordon
Aminu/Thomas/Nicholson
Anderson/O'Quinn/Swanigan/Davis
O'Quinn/Swanigan/Collins/Davis

Forget about Irving, we need to develop our young guys. Irving will still be young when he becomes a free agent, and we'll hopefully be a contender or more closely to contending by then.

We also keep Noah this year and, if he continues to be as bad as he was last year, we cut him and spread out the remaining part of his deal for 5 years through the stretch provision.

What do you think?

I think adding over $37 million per year for three years for bench players is exactly what it sounds like.

fishmike wrote:yuck. Knicks end up with 3 guys signed for 3 years who are utterly average and getting paid. I would rather move Lee for an expiring deal or pick at some point or just keep him, he's useful. I would rather have Ryan Anderson and three guys signed just as long who don't really help me. Anderson would be a useful player, albeit grossly overpaid. Anderson and 2 #1s with some protection is much better IMO

BRIGGS wrote:Id rather cut Anthony

I wouldn't cut him. I would let him ride the bench. This way he uses his opt out instead of being on the hook for another year.

Jrshoops wrote:Nah, Melo would sulk, and he wouldn't opt out lol. He would just get fat, and then after 2 years of collecting checks, he'd start posting videos of running in the park.

Vmart wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:Id rather cut Anthony

I wouldn't cut him. I would let him ride the bench. This way he uses his opt out instead of being on the hook for another year.

If he sulks he sulks. If he makes trouble its conduct detrimental to team. If he undermines and sabotages the coaching staff that on him. Suspensions should not be out of the realm of possibility. If he waves his NTC then the destinations are open to anyone.

I can't see Melo not using his opt out. Even if he is content person.

Jrshoops wrote:http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=ycpfneu8

This plus we get a first rounder unprotected from Houston (maybe 2-3 years away to hopefully get better pick as they age).

Ntilikina/Sessions/Baker
Hardaway/Turner/Dotson/Baker
Ariza/Harkless/Kuz/Turner
KP/Leonard/Kornet
Willy/Noah/Leonard/Kornet

What do you think?

Well, I give you all the credit in the world for trying to make a deal work and at least trying to assess a fit for the non Knicks teams.

Unfortunately, Houston is not going to trade Ariza for Melo. They need defense and spacing and they understand what Ariza can and cannot do in their system. He's a locked in quantity for them. If the GSW sustain two major injuries ( it's wild to think that's what it would take for any other team to have a chance), then Houston might have a chance in a long series to contend. But they need Ariza's defense and glue factor.

They are willing to trade Anderson, some non guaranteed contracts and some protected picks. And that's it. Like you, I wish it was different, but it's not. Eric Gordon gives them a lot of what Melo would give them, without the cost or gutting of their roster to do it. Melo is a LUXURY for them. Nice to have. Not so essential that they'd move one step forward and move two steps back.