Trade is incomplete...
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=2f59knl

Thoughts?

This is my version that completes the trade. We have to take on Outlaw but get rid of Maxiell and likely don't have to send a first rounder to NJN.

DET
Stuckey/Bynum/White
Gordon/McGrady/Daye
Prince/Outlaw/Jerebko
Villanueva/Murphy/Wilcox
Wallace/Monroe/Petro

NJN
Billups/Farmar/Uzoh--------------------Billups/Farmar/Vujacic
Hamilton/Vujacic/Ross------------------Hamilton/Billups/Vujacic
Anthony/Jones/Summers---------------Anthony/Hamilton/Vujacic
Humphries/Maxiell/Graham------------Humphries/Anthony/Maxiell
Lopez/(Barron)/(Jones)-----------------Lopez/Humphries/Maxiell
They need Cs, though...They probably pick up Earl Barron and Dwayne Jones or something.

DEN
Harris/Lawson/Carter
Afflalo/Morrow
Harrington/Smith/Forbes/Balkman
Favors/Martin/Williams
Nene/Andersen/Ely

I wonder if Wilcox is involved, too?

We currently have 15 players on the roster, if only Rip goes out and Murphy & Petro come back, somebody has to get waived or bought out.

I assume that that's another reason why Joe was balking at taking petro (besides the $).

Otherwise, who's the odd man out? Summers? Wilcox? Buyout for Big Ben?

Summers, Wilcox or White..

Nice to be back. Any trade where we part with our pick is a terrible idea. The nice thing here is that Joe can just say the boss has told him not to take new salary, whether it is true or not. I say try and get a first out of it. We arent contenders right now anyway, and it has been publicly reported that Melo wants to play with Rip. Thats leverage brother.

Summers would be cut I presume.

Holdup to NJ-Den-Det trade is that Den wants NJ to take Al Harrington. NJ doesn't want to b/c Al has 4 yrs, $28 mill left on deal.

Broussard.

NJ will give Detroit a draft pick for taking Petro, not determined whether 1st or 2nd rounder yet.

Much better!

From Broussard.

It has to be a 2nd rounder as they are sending two firsts to Denver. I'm fine with RIP for Petro/Murphy and a 2nd. Clears some salary.

The rumors mention Denver doesn't need Harris because they have Lawson (and Billups might end up back there anyway). Why can't we take Harris and they send Murphy to Denver? We could move Stuckey for a big and have Harris/Bynum and BG/Daye at the guard spots long term.

It'd have to be Summers cut.
He's like 6th on the depth chart at both F positions.

I give this deal a 5% chance of happening.

How did Petro get half the MLE?

because he's tall

Salary post Rip:

http://werollhard.blogspot.com/2011/01/cap-ramifications-for-hamilton-to-new.html

Interesting that Petro's only 24 turning 25. I feel like I've seen his name around forever.

Being widely reported that we'll get a NJ 2nd rounder for taking Petro.

Nice blog post, Herms. You going to the big PISTONS SOCIAL MEDIA NIGHT?

I really can't believe that Petro's salary is a sticking point.
We've paid Elden Campbell, Kwame Brown, Chris Wilcox, Jason Maxiell, etc. more money...

Still wonder who else we need to send out to get the salaries even. I hope it's not Wilcox but Maxiell or Bynum instead.

Still wonder who else we need to send out to get the salaries even. I hope it's not Wilcox but Maxiell or Bynum instead.

If I did this right, the salaries are fine. The Pistons just can't have 16 players on their "new" roster.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=4fs48en

I'd love it if there was a way to stick Stuckey in there and get Devin Harris back.

I'd rather find a way to dump Maxiell and/or Bynum into the mix.

Nice blog post, Herms. You going to the big PISTONS SOCIAL MEDIA NIGHT?

I was going to cause trouble, but they canceled it, so I'm going to build content so that I can attack later.

The Nets and Pistons have all but completed a component of the trade that exchanges Murphy for Hamilton, sources said. (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AqVdnxeDKfRHwlwivKUBiEy8vLYF?slug=aw-anthonytrade011011) The teams have agreed to include Petro, who has two years and $6.75 million left on his contract after this season, but were still working out whether Detroit would receive a draft pick. The Pistons are motivated to unload the remaining two years and $25 million on Hamilton’s contract for Murphy’s $12 million expiring deal. Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AqVdnxeDKfRHwlwivKUBiEy8vLYF?slug=aw-anthonytrade011011)

Is this actually coming to fruition? I would be shocked.

U SUMBITCH U CHANGE MY THREAD TITLE

and God, Rip for any expiring at all is a win.

Potential free agent targets, should we be able to peddle Rip:

http://bit.ly/eerVvP

Potential free agent targets, should we be able to peddle Rip:

http://bit.ly/eerVvP

Please confirm but is Big Baby also an unrestricted FA this off-season? If so I'm almost certain dumars will make a play for his services. I know dumars had interest 2 off-seasons ago but he miscalculated the salary cap and he re-signed with boston.

You've got Marc Gasol on the Nets, Herm.

And Baby would be awesome here. I wanted him last time.

Potential free agent targets, should we be able to peddle Rip:

http://bit.ly/eerVvP

[smilie=fingerno.gi: j/k herm, carry on.

Some cat from Denver Post just said that the balancing act is NJ wants to be attractive enough for Melo to sign the extension, but then Denver feels the draft pick they get from NJ will be devalued if NJ is too good.

I almost put Baby in that bottom category of dudes to comment on but left him off. I see him as a role guy and little more IMO. Better than Max, but I don't want him, CV and Monroe to be our frontcourt for the next 3 years.

and if you remember I did the Gasol/Nets thing here last year too. Gasol brothers vs. Lopez brothers.

Now included enchilada recipe in comments.

I for one do not want Big Baby here. I think he is a confirmed head case. However, I'm thrilled to finally be rid of Rip, and I'll find it easier to watch the games without him on the court.

I for one do not want Big Baby here. I think he is a confirmed head case. However, I'm thrilled to finally be rid of Rip, and I'll find it easier to watch the games without him on the court.

It hasn't happened yet.

Y! Sports: Ex-Pistons teammates Chauncey Billups & Rip Hamilton have been talking a lot about reuniting with Nets. http://yhoo.it/dH4N36

I think they'll go after Zach with their money. Big Baby isn't much for a post game and that is what the Pistons lack badly. Knicks are supposedly trying to get Gasol, so I bet they throw lots of money at him if he's a FA. I doubt Nene opts out. With Melo and Kmart gone next year he'll have a chance to put up big numbers in a contract year.

Gawd they just need to finalize this trade.

I think they'll go after Zach with their money. Big Baby isn't much for a post game and that is what the Pistons lack badly. Knicks are supposedly trying to get Gasol, so I bet they throw lots of money at him if he's a FA. I doubt Nene opts out. With Melo and Kmart gone next year he'll have a chance to put up big numbers in a contract year.

Or get hurt and fucked.

The longer Joe waits the worse it gets... http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22748484/27023926

this is all on Denver, in this case Dumars can't to nothing but wait...he's used to it anyway

i am glad wtfdetroit is back online

Alien intervention?


WASHINGTON—Wizards assistant coach and former Houston Rockets guard Sam Cassell reportedly phoned his agent and several NBA front offices Monday inquiring if he could "get in on" the potential three-team deal that would send Carmelo Anthony to the New Jersey Nets. "Looks like there's a lot of guys included, so maybe I can just slide on in there," Cassell, 41, wrote in an e-mail to NBA commissioner David Stern. "Doesn't matter where I end up—Detroit, Denver, New Jersey—I'm not picky. Just, you know, make a little roster space for good old Uncle Sam is all I'm asking. What's the worst that could happen?" At press time, Cassell was constantly refreshing his e-mail awaiting a response from Stern.

Seriously, I'm just not feeling it for the Carmelo to Jersey trade, so all the surrounding stuff associated with it seems off-base.

Yeah, Joe aint waiting for shit.

I don't understand why the Clippers aren't on his list. Big market, wife can work there. They have a better core than the Knicks anyway. They can send Kamen/Aminu/Foye and Minny's pick for Melo/Harrington. Melo would have Davis, Gordon, Griffin and Jordan as his running mates. That is better than Felton, Gallinari, Amare, scrub C.

Maybe he doesn't want Don Sterling heckling him?

Is Dolan a great owner though?

I don't understand why the Clippers aren't on his list. Big market, wife can work there. They have a better core than the Knicks anyway. They can send Kamen/Aminu/Foye and Minny's pick for Melo/Harrington. Melo would have Davis, Gordon, Griffin and Jordan as his running mates. That is better than Felton, Gallinari, Amare, scrub C.

I felt the same way about LeBron.

@STEIN_LINE_HQ: Word is DET plans to keep Troy Murphy IF Melo deal lives. Other teams already calling for Murphy but Pistons averse to buyout w/sale pending

Maybe he doesn't want Don Sterling.
Fixed.

I give this deal a 5% chance of happening.

YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST

I'll go 50%... with next Tuesday being the trigger one way or another.

Early part of next week.

^ :this.:

i won't believe it, until its done, then its time to celebrate! ;)

Melo doesnt even want to meet with the Nets, they are fucking crazy if they trade for him and he won't sign an extension...i am worried, time to pray ;)

^ I was just coming here to post something similar to that. I was reading a CC tv report that said he does NOT want to sign a 3 year ext w the Nets.

Might as well play Rip. Regardless of whats said, I think they held Rip out for the possible trade.

Richard Hamilton, Pistons can’t wait for end of unhappy trade saga (http://detnews.com/article/20110118/OPINION03/101180332/1031/opinion03)

I don't understand Melo. Why does he say he shouldn't be talking to the Nets or any other team while playing for Denver? How is another team supposed to get assurances he'll sign an extension? He's had no problem praising the Knicks, so why is he not allowed to talk all of a sudden?

I worry he might just refuse to talk extension with anyone but the Knicks and force Denver to trade him as a rental player to Houston or Dallas.

Denver just needs to trade him for anything at this point. Send him to lal as a rental, even

They won't do that until the deadline.

You think odom and artest and ebanks for melo and two scrubs is fair

You think odom and artest and ebanks for melo and two scrubs is fair

Might be 'fair' from a talent perspective, but Nuggs want good picks, young talent and expiring deals. The Lakers don't have that to offer.

You think odom and artest and ebanks for melo and two scrubs is fair

How does that help Denver? They need decent young players and picks. All that does is make them a fringe playoff team. They need to keep Melo and attempt to contend (extreme long shot) or blow it up and get as much loot as they can. Lakers can't help them. Most of the rental teams don't have anything decent to offer Denver.

I wonder if NO would try to rent Melo and see if they can lock up Paul and Melo. They have some talent they could move in that effort.

As I said Melo should really look at the Clippers. I know ownership is a question mark, but he could run with Blake, Gordon, Davis and Jordan (assuming Kamen/Aminu are in deal). If he really wants to just win, that might be the best option. Amare/Felton/Melo is not going to win titles in NY. They are too soft inside to go the distance. Neither Amare nor Melo rebound their position as well as they could and that coach doesn't care about defense anyway.

Isn't it obvious that Melo and Paul are angling to hook up with Amar'e in NY?

It seems like they really think they can make it happen, and maybe they can.

Isn't it obvious that Melo and Paul are angling to hook up with Amar'e in NY?

It seems like they really think they can make it happen, and maybe they can.

Paul can opt out after next year. Felton will be a FA then, so they certainly will have some money. Here is their salaries that summer (guessing on Melo):

Amare 19 mil
Melo 18 mil?
Mozgov 2.8 mil
Total 40 mil

Options:
Douglas 2 mil TO
Chandler?
Danilo?
Randolph?

Even if they let all those walk and sign Paul they'd have all min salary players after that. Miami has all of their big 3 making around 16 mil. NY already has Amare making 19 mil and I bet Melo commands big dollars too. I'm not sure how they'd pull it off and fill out the rest of the squad.

I don't think they give two shits about the rest of the squad, and frankly I don't think I would either if I were them. Once you got them in the fold, they will eventually get the mle, lle, draft picks, and unlimited vet mins. Probably the way all teams will be built in the future.

Melo and Amare would need someone like Paul for ego-management purposes.

It would be fun if NJ started talking to other teams about other superstars. Part of me thinks they would be better off if Melo deal fell through. They have, what, 5 first round picks over the next 2-3 years? Add in Murphy's expiring deal, Favors, Devin Harris, etc and they could re-make themselves right quick.

I don't think they give two shits about the rest of the squad, and frankly I don't think I would either if I were them. Once you got them in the fold, they will eventually get the mle, lle, draft picks, and unlimited vet mins. Probably the way all teams will be built in the future.

The problem is that Amare and Melo are poor rebounders and defenders. Lebron at least cleans the glass and defends well for a SF and they have Haslem too.

I'm not sure how NY is going to win anything significant unless they lucked into a decent center. Also keep in mind they have no picks coming up. I'm sure Miami can still add through the draft.

The MLE gets you decent bench players these days. Where are they getting their starting SG and C from?

MLE guys in 2012 they could target:

Diop
Bogans
Graham
Sessions
Terry
Max
Courtney Lee
Posey
Rush
Delfino
Bass
Brand
VC
Camby
Okur
Hinrich

I did not include players that will obviously be extended (like Love). Some of these may not accept the MLE, but may offer a discount to play with Melo/Paul/Amare. Some of these may not opt out.

A more realistic option would be to sign Nash (cheaper than Paul) and get a guy like Okur also.

In lieu of Paul, Nash is another guy that the Knicks could (do) covet.

If they could somehow acquire him and grab another asset to flip to Denver, that might work.

I could totally see a NYK/PHX/DEN three way that gets Melo and Nash to NYC with Amar'e.

What about these (Suns send first rounder to Denver):

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=6f4codm

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=6kjquyq

Not as good as the NJ option though as the Knicks have no picks to offer. Suns have Orlando's pick too not that it would be very good.

Yeah, something like that.

Knicks apparently have a standing offer from TWolves for a 1st round pick for Randolph, so you could include them as a 4th team with the pick going to PHX

And the Knicks could throw a couple of $3m checks in there, too.

I think the Minny pick would have to go to Denver (and maybe they send their pick to the Suns?). The hold up is Denver getting enough for Melo IMO.

The AP has Terrico back in the deal instead of Summers.

How about this for the DET/DEN/NJ trade:

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=4sn3mzu

Nets get Wilcox, Melo, Billlups, Rip and White

Denver gets Prince, Favors, Morrow, Outlaw and 2 (or 3) first rounders

We get Murphy, Harris, Balkman and Petro plus a 2nd round pick

Who the fuck knows what it's gonna take anymore...

when is the deadline?

How about this for the DET/DEN/NJ trade:

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=4sn3mzu

Nets get Wilcox, Melo, Billlups, Rip and White

Denver gets Prince, Favors, Morrow, Outlaw and 2 (or 3) first rounders

We get Murphy, Harris, Balkman and Petro plus a 2nd round pick

Who the fuck knows what it's gonna take anymore...

Denver would want a little bit more back unless it's clear that this is a Melo rental.

I disagree. They want Favors, the two first rounders and expiring deals. Anything else is gravy (young players they may keep). They have Kmart and JR expiring so they'd get cap relief even with Outlaw/Morrow signed longer.

I wonder if Orlando regrets blowing their team up so early?

Dwight and Melo would look pretty nice. Might go a long way in convincing Dwight to stick around.

What did Orlando have to offer though? Gortat and bad picks? Denver wouldn't have wanted Lewis or VC (they would take VC with good picks).

I disagree. They want Favors, the two first rounders and expiring deals. Anything else is gravy (young players they may keep). They have Kmart and JR expiring so they'd get cap relief even with Outlaw/Morrow signed longer.
Would YOU want Outlaw's contract? He's the issue, and teams usually would have to be given extra incentive to take him on.

Nets have "excused" Troy Murphy from the team.

^ I'm hoping that's a good sign.

Would YOU want Outlaw's contract? He's the issue, and teams usually would have to be given extra incentive to take him on.

They are posturing for the best deal, but that is because they can until the deadline. I suspect they'd take Outlaw if Harrington went out or if this goes down to the trade deadline.

daldridgetnt

Wow. Prokhorov tells Nets to walk away from Carmelo deal..says decision is final.

^ I'm hoping that's a good sign.
Hopefully our portion of the deal is intact.

RIP to NJ is dead too ofc, the only one who wanted RIP in Jersey was Melo/RIPs agent

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_17139284

it sounds final to me, no more hope left, Denvers front office suckz ass

you heard it here first!

just a gut feeling was all.

Fuck the Nuggets - if the deadline passes and Melo is still on their roster they'll likely get very little for him.

Maybe a pick and a massive trade exception in a sign and trade - like the Cavs and Raptors got this past off-season.

Dumb fucks should have taken Favors and those first rounders and just sucked it up. Instead they didn't want Murphy, didn't want to take Harris, wanted to include Balkman... they just kept wanting more and more.

I think it's hilarious that this Russian dude just said "Fuck 'em - we'll get someone else". With the assets NJ has they can try for someone else.

The question is can NJ get something done before the deadline - Murphy, Favors and picks could bring back a quality player - but who?

I imagine the holdup was probably on the Nets end as they couldn't get any assurance of Melo re-signing. I think Denver was ready to do the deal.

I wonder if Joe would like to rent Melo?

We give the Nuggets Rip, Daye, Wilcox plus our 2011 Pick and a future protected pick for Melo and Balkman

We basically get a rental of Melo and clear Rip's contract by doing it.

I seriously doubt Denver would do it - I don't think they even know what they're going to do with Melo now.

I disagree Vinny - I think the Nets were desperate to get it done. They didn't land much in free agency and they wanted to make an impact. This was it. That's why they've been talking about this for 3 months!

And I think they were confident that once they had Melo on their roster he'd sign the extension - if only to get the most cash he could.

This thing has gone back and forth from the time the season started. Every single report claims that Denver doesn't want this, didn't want that, wanted to include someone else, wanted more picks...

It got to the point where a lot of people just assumed that the Nuggets were holding off so the Nets pick would be better for them!

Now what? The Nuggets will have to scramble IMO.

I don't know, maybe you're right. In my experience, most "reports" are mostly speculation from bored reporters.

Does Troy Murphy for Rip work? Just those 2?

Does Troy Murphy for Rip work? Just those 2?

Not for NJ, it doesn't.

I cannot believe how stupid the Denver GM is. He was going to get maximum value for Melo from a team that he would agree to an extension with. That was NY or NJ. NJ was offering by far the best deal and now that's gone. Odds are Melo now goes to the Knicks or becomes a rental to another team and Denver gets a lot less. Sucks for us but it really makes Denver look stupid.

It would be fun if NJ started talking to other teams about other superstars. Part of me thinks they would be better off if Melo deal fell through. They have, what, 5 first round picks over the next 2-3 years? Add in Murphy's expiring deal, Favors, Devin Harris, etc and they could re-make themselves right quick.

Outside of losing out on our best (only?) chance to move Rip, this is great.

Nuggs are back talking to the Bulls now, willing to include Nene with Melo in a Joakim deal.

I just imagined a scenario which I'll affectionately refer to as "The Dumars Death Blow".

Joe sells our pick to NYK for $3m.

I'm more convinced than ever that Melo is going to the Knicks.

I just imagined a scenario which I'll affectionately refer to as "The Dumars Death Blow".

Joe sells our pick to NYK for $3m.

c'mon man. That's not an actual possibility

Not unless Davidson wants an extra $3m on her way out.

I could see something like this happening.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=4me8bz3

Plus at least one 1st that the Knicks can simply buy from someone for $3m. Or, take out Randolph and include two 1sts (one they buy and one they get for sending Randolph somewhere else).

Rationale:

1. Many (like me) assumed that Gallinari would have to be included. Apparently Knicks REALLY like him and Denver actually doesn't.
2. Azubuike's deal is 80% covered by insurance, he's injured.
3. Nuggets love Landry Fields.

Can the Nuggets do better than this at this point?

Also, I wouldn't be surprised if Portland got involved to make it a 3 way, with Batum ending up in Denver to replace Melo.

Walsh 'on the clock' to cut 'Melo deal (http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/ante_up_knicks_1s9wu31MHWSaiK0zAVLBKP)



Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/ante_up_knicks_1s9wu31MHWSaiK0zAVLBKP#ixzz1BgGHzx1 i

I could see something like this happening.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=4me8bz3

Plus at least one 1st that the Knicks can simply buy from someone for $3m. Or, take out Randolph and include two 1sts (one they buy and one they get for sending Randolph somewhere else).

Rationale:

1. Many (like me) assumed that Gallinari would have to be included. Apparently Knicks REALLY like him and Denver actually doesn't.
2. Azubuike's deal is 80% covered by insurance, he's injured.
3. Nuggets love Landry Fields.

Can the Nuggets do better than this at this point?

Also, I wouldn't be surprised if Portland got involved to make it a 3 way, with Batum ending up in Denver to replace Melo.

I would think they'd want Chandler in the deal (maybe with Smith in there too).

I read that the Nuggets don't want Chandler because they are afraid it's going to cost them too much to re-sign him.

(He's looking for $10m/yr)

What I don't understand is why the Nuggets don't just try to build a contender in Denver and convince Carmelo to stay. Let him be the villain if you advance deep in the playoffs and he still leaves. He's even gone on the record and said he hasn't ruled out returning (although he expects to be traded).

Trade Kenyon Martin for Richard Hamilton/Jason Maxiell.

Billups/Lawson
Hamilton/Afflalo
Anthony/Smith/Forbes
Harrington/Williams/Maxiell
Nene/Andersen

Right? They have a top 3 SF, the best guard depth in the league, and a prettay solid frontcourt.

I'm not sure that Hamilton is an upgrade over Afflalo at this point.

I don't care who starts.
On a team that's willing to use him, he's an upgrade.

So they would take on his contract to play 20 minutes a night???

If it kept Melo in town for 32-28 minutes a night, yes.

The Knicks hired Mark Warkentein to work under Walsh, LOL.

So the idea is the old Denver GM has serious ties to Melo and is the most likely suspect to take over once Walsh believes his job is done/he couldn't be fucked anymore?

Smart move by the Knicks... now it's on Denver to get as much as they can via trade... I wonder if they call New Jersey back and say "you know, man... we was dumb!"

ESPN says NJ had posters of the new arena in the hallway to the visitor's locker room. They need to get the NJ deal back on the table. If they won't do it offer the Knicks the best you can get:

Melo, Al for Fields, Chandler, Randolph, Curry and a first rounder (probably from Gallinari). They are waiting because they figure it makes NJ pick better without Melo there. But it also makes their pick worse as they are in playoff contention. Then move Kmart and JR (both expirings) for whatever assets you can get. Supposing NJ doesn't do it they become:

PG Billups/Lawson
SG Fields/AA
SF Chandler/Balkman
PF Randolph/Williams
C Nene/Anderson

Plus two first rounders and whatever you get for Kmart/JR. Maybe Yao/Hill/Buddinger from Houston? Maybe Orlando for Bass/JRich? Maybe NO would give you West since he won't sign an extension. I'm not sure they'll get a ton, but those two could help a playoff team greatly with a very good defensive big and a lights out bench scorer (when he's hot).

The Denver Nuggets and the New York Knicks are discussing a three-team trade that would make forward Carmelo Anthony a Knick before the Feb. 24 trade deadline, according to league sources. In the proposed trade, New York would send Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry to Minnesota and the Timberwolves would send Corey Brewer and a first-round pick to Denver. Denver would also receive Wilson Chandler from New York (http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/news/story?id=6094827&campaign=rss&source=NBAHeadlines). The deal is not expected to happen until the middle of next week at the earliest, and one source said it could drag out until the trade deadline. Denver, which has been exchanging proposals with the Knicks for the past couple weeks, is weighing other options. ESPN.com (http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/news/story?id=6094827&campaign=rss&source=NBAHeadlines)

Report: Knicks’ Dolan In ‘Direct Negotiations’ For Carmelo http://bit.ly/iiHjcM

If I'm Denver I don't do that 3 way deal. Brewer has shot %40 since he's been in the league. He's a decent defender, but they already have AA for that. They need a scoring wing. I would demand Chandler (or Gallinari if they feel Chandler's ankle is a problem), Fields and 2 first rounders (one from Minny). That might be the best you get unless the Nets come back into the picture. Minny has said they'd trade a first for Randolph but not Brewer also. It would just be whether the Knicks want to give up Fields/Chandler or Gallenari/1st rounder for Melo. My guess is yes. Even though they are front runners on signing him, they'll probably lose Chandler anyway (won't extend him) because Melo will take that money. They only give up a first and Fields to get Melo this year and make a run in the playoffs. Plus they could still use the MLE this way instead of losing it because they'd have to have cap space to sign Melo outright.

@espn: Sources: Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets have initial Carmelo Anthony talks - http://es.pn/gEfZWi

lol

I'm not sure why Denver would do this for two reasons. 1) Bynum has been hurt a lot. NY and NJ deals would get them more long term talent. 2) Trading Melo to LA means they won't make the finals for a LONG time.

I think this is a ploy to get the Knicks to bite. Right now they have to believe they can just wait and sign Melo at the end of the year. If LA is in the mix (or NJ) as a non-rental option then they have to make their move now.

http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab250/Zac_Sweeney/NBA%20Photoshops/Jersey%20Switches/Melo_Lakers.png

Adrian Woj. from Yahoo says the Nets and Nuggs have framework of deal agreed to, Melo just has to agree to sign.

Melo, Billups, Balkman, Ely & Williams for Favors, Harris, Uzoh, Murphy and FOUR 1st rounders.

Prokhorov expected to meet with Melo face to face this weekend in LA.

Adrian Woj. from Yahoo says the Nets and Nuggs have framework of deal agreed to, Melo just has to agree to sign.

Melo, Billups, Balkman, Ely & Williams for Favors, Harris, Uzoh, Murphy and FOUR 1st rounders.

dayum!

NJ is getting raped.

How many of those picks would actually be the Nets own?

Anyone think Joe can get Rip into that deal?

LMAO - I don't think Joe could deal Rip a deck of cards

@FisolaNYDN: Melo already met with the #Knicks: http://tinyurl.com/4dfutfe

I can't remember ever being this annoyed by a possible trade.

Stein says if Nets/Nuggets gets done, an unknown 3rd team will be involved.

Please be us. Might be Minny or Portland, tho, both have apparently been very active on phones.

I wonder if Donnie resigns if Dolan goes over his head to make Melo deal without him?

Heard some rumblings about him ending up back w/Pacers a week ago or so.

I thought he was going to get out after he got Amare. He was having surgeries or health problems or something back then.

Donnie resigns, Isiah returns?

My mole is telling me that Izzo's been in a New York State of Mind lately.

One of my moles are telling me that Izzo's been in a New York State of Mind lately.

You've done some good work today.

Kinicks just bumped up offer, gave Nuggs choice of Gallo or Fields. They chose Gallo.

This could be close.

Whoa, bad decision. These Gallinaris, man, they don't grow on trees.

If the Nets get Melo, I'm almost positive that we'll get Murphy and a 1st for Tayshaun (he goes to Denver to replace Melo).

Just read that Prokhorov is planning an awesome dick move if NYK get Melo. He'll go after Mozgov (of course), Gallinari and Felton from Nuggets. Think the Knicks will like that?lol

That's epic.

See, I've been a fan since day 1 for a reason.

Marc J. Spears: Y! Sports: Nugs asked for inclusion of Mosgov in NYK deal Saturday. NYK could get Melo now by putting rookie in, but has declined for now (http://twitter.com/SpearsNBAYahoo/status/39788882681663489). Twitter (http://twitter.com/SpearsNBAYahoo/status/39788882681663489)


It almost seems like the NYK are determined to hold onto Mosgov, just because they can't bear to see him end up in NJ, lol.

Prokhorov is quickly becoming eligible for a mancrush.

Several outlets reporting that Melo to NYK is basically a done deal, possibly tonight.

PLEASE BE!

^ so glad to have twitter when things like this are happening.

If it's a done deal, does this mean he'll actually end up a Spur?

*crickets*

Mosgov is going to be included...allegedly

Apparently, IT HAPPENED!

Melo/Billups to NYK, GSW is 3rd team

The Carmelo Anthony trade saga is finally over. The Nuggets traded Melo to the New York Knicks tonight, a league source said. Denver gets Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, the Knicks 2014 first-round draft pick, the Warriors' 2012 second-round pick, the Warriors' 2013 second-round pick and $3 million in cash. Anthony will go to New York, along with Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter and Renaldo Balkman (http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_17443219). Denver Post (http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_17443219)

Your move, Prokhorov.

I'm hearing Knicsk fans are going apeshit now that Balkman's back.

Anybody know what GSW got?

Zach Miner

Can we send Rip to Knicks for Eddy Curry's contract now?

Please?

Curry's going to Minnesota, isn't he?

I said please, though.

How about Rip for MICHAEL CURRY??

wut.

Knicks are st00pid and should have waited for free agency.

although, that seems like a weakass package that nyk had to give up.

I'm hearing Knicsk fans are going apeshit now that Balkman's back.

+1

The initial reports from last night had GSW as the 3rd team, but it is indeed Minny with Curry and Randolph going there and my boy Brewer to NYK.

I wonder if Joe will consider taking a flier on Curry for the vet's min after he is bought out by Minny?

This is how it breaks out, AFAICT

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=4mmepdx

I'm hoping the Knicks manage to lose their playoff slot.

Not usually a fan of Hollinger's work, but I do agree with his assessment. The Nuggets did very well for having a list of one possible destination. They played their hand well IMO:

http://www.wtfdetroit.com/forums/showthread.php?16537-Melo-trade-Hollinger-analysis&p=372868#post372868

Now they need to move Felton, Kmart and JR for additional assets and lock up Nene. Many 'experts' out here have said Melo has held Nene back. His shot attempts are very low because he was getting glares and yelled at when he would not return the ball to Melo.

My follow up deals:

Felton & Harrington to DET, RIP & Daye to DAL, Butler & DAL 1st(s) to DEN
Detroit gets legit PG (takes on smaller crappy deal for RIP), Dallas gets help on wings and Cuban doesn't care about money, Denver gets Al off books and a pick(s).

Gallinari, Mozgov, DEN 1st to NJ for Favors, NJ 1st, Petro
NJ gets two talented young players and gets rid of Petro contract, Denver gets better pick and Favors.

Kmart & Afflalo to ORL for JRich & Duhon & Orton
ORL gets big man depth for playoffs and a defensive stopper (Reddick, Arenas, Hedo are not defenders). DEN gets a solid backup PG and a promising big.

JR to CHI for Brewer/filler
DEN gets another young player to build with and CHI gets lights out scorer for playoff run.

Final Denver roster:
PG Lawson/Duhon
SG Jrich/Brewer
SF Chandler/Brewer
PF Favors/Orton
C Nene/Birdman

*NJ 1st, DAL 1st(s), NY 2014 1st.

Resign Nene & Chandler, let Jrich walk

With the Detroit deal they could still move Prince to a contender for something. I would try and move him to LA for Kaman.

I would attempt to flip Harrington with Tmac to a contender (adding another team to proposed deal above) also for any expiring deal. Dallas might just take Max and Tmac in that deal (to get them big man depth and Tmac to replace Butler this year) and send Stevenson to Detroit.

If not they could sign Randolph with his space and have:

PG Felton/Bynum
SG BG/Stuckey
SF Stuckey/JJ
PF Monroe/CV
C Kaman or Zach/Ben

With the Detroit deal they could still move Prince to a contender for something. I would try and move him to LA for Kaman.

I would attempt to flip Harrington with Tmac to a contender (adding another team to proposed deal above) also for any expiring deal. Dallas might just take Max and Tmac in that deal (to get them big man depth and Tmac to replace Butler this year) and send Stevenson to Detroit.

If not they could sign Randolph with his space and have:

PG Felton/Bynum
SG BG/Stuckey
SF Stuckey/JJ
PF Monroe/CV
C Kaman or Zach/Ben
Man thats a pint size team. I'd prefer to get bigger, but i do understand that you have long term ideas beyond this. Still, thats a pint size team. I think even Felton is taller than BG, lol.

I want Kaman as our Center alot, yet I just as much want nothing to do with Felton who is BG 2.0 imo and worse on defense than BG even. Is there anywhere else to get a Center with some legit upside. IMO Mozgov was a good one for the Nuggets. Who else is out there in that category or higher?

This is no puff piece on Zeke.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AsnQHOr.FEkCxqL1w.qTgcS8vLYF?slug=aw-thomasanthony022211

"in (the) shadows"

Adrian loves to use that flamethrower.

^ He's good at it.

Nuggets also got K.Koufos from TWolves.

the knicks now have more 'star power' but they still lack a complete team- in a bad way. i think they were better off with what they had, frankly. especially in the longterm. if it were me i would've rolled the dice and just tried to sign him in FA (IF they wanted him that bad)

but while i think he'll do really well there, i think they were building a better all around team for the longterm with the group they had.

I think Melo did them a big favor in telling them his desires all year. He could have simply said he would wait until the end of the year to decide.

Man thats a pint size team. I'd prefer to get bigger, but i do understand that you have long term ideas beyond this. Still, thats a pint size team. I think even Felton is taller than BG, lol.

I want Kaman as our Center alot, yet I just as much want nothing to do with Felton who is BG 2.0 imo and worse on defense than BG even. Is there anywhere else to get a Center with some legit upside. IMO Mozgov was a good one for the Nuggets. Who else is out there in that category or higher?

I would suspect that we'd use the first rounder on a SF (Jones or other). At that point BG might go back to the bench and Stuckey slide to SG mostly (backing up the SF at times to get BG minutes).

I wonder if Joe will consider taking a flier on Curry for the vet's min after he is bought out by Minny?


Curry will sign for the prorated veteran's minimum and the Miami HEAT top his (and agent Leon Rose's) wish list. http://tinyurl.com/4eueqpj

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=6150136

Nuggets 2-0

I don't see them running the table for some reason.

I dislike KG so much I root for Kenyon Martin against him.

@mhaubs: Denver's point differential since the trade is +12.3. That is all.

Nuggets will be my #3 team come playoff time.

Denver is 11-4 since the deal, NY is 7-10.

HAHAHAHAHA

Right now Denver is slated to play OKC in the first round (will be slight underdogs, but could surely win that series). NYN is slated to play Boston or Chicago and they will not win that series.

I've also heard NBA experts say Melo doesn't fit Dantoni's system. That offense is predicated on ball movement and Melo is an isolation type player. He holds the ball, faces up, fakes a bunch of times, then puts the ball on the floor and dribbles. He is a great one on one player, but the big knock on him here is he made nobody else better in Denver. Guys like JR Smith and Nene have all this potential but never lived up to it and Melo never made them any better.

Asking anyone to make JR Smith smarter or Nene not a walking-injury-waiting-to-happen is a tall order.

Asking anyone to make JR Smith smarter or Nene not a walking-injury-waiting-to-happen is a tall order.

The problem with JR is that he's a lights out shooter that makes bad decisions when he tries to create his own shot. If Melo actually passed out of double teams instead of simply being an isolation player then JR would have wide open looks and would probably be a 20+ PPG scorer instead of the inconsistent scorer he is now. I'm ignoring the issue of Nene staying healthy and just focusing on production while on the court. His problem is that he's a good post player and never gets any shot attempts because Melo won't feed him the ball, rather just run his iso crap. The point is that Melo did nothing to get either legitimate looks at the basket because he is not a willing passer. Every player is either going to dissapear on offense or decide to be a ball hog.

You've all played with these people in pick up bball. If you give the ball up, you're not getting it back. So it makes you take shots you wouldn't normally take. The fact that JR doesn't play defense and Nene has injuries has nothing to do with the fact that when they are on the court they are made worse by Melo being there also. Melo actually yelled at players to give him the ball when they were in better shooting situations than Melo was. He's a great 1 on 1 player but he does not make anyone else better. Great players do. Kobe does, Lebron does. Melo does not.

BTW, in March JR is shooting %2 better on 2's, %8 better on threes and scoring 3 more PPG than his season average. That is because he's taking his shots off ball movement and not isolation looks. Nene has upped his PPG by 1.2 and his rebounds by 1.2 as well since Melo was traded.

Felton is averaging 7 APG and Lawson 8 APG (was 3 prior to trade). Boston (leading assist team and man) only gets 13.5 combined from their PGs.

The ball movement is much better now. Denver is 14th in assists right now, I wonder what the split would be for before/after the trade (they are up 1 APG from last year though).

This says they assist on %64 of their baskets now and it was %56 when Melo was here:
http://offthedribble.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/17/keeping-score-why-the-nuggets-are-winning/
It also mentions the defense went from one of the worst in the league to 2nd best (while their scoring per possession has actually gone up).

FYI Chris:

www.wtfDenver.com

NEW YORK—Several members of New York Knicks management expressed bewilderment Thursday as to why Chauncey Billups would openly express a desire to return for a second season with the organization. "He knows this is the New York Knicks, right?” said team president Donnie Walsh, explaining he was skeptical of Billups’ request and outlining a list of reasons why, which included outdated facilities, an unreliable fan base, and his recent managerial track record. "He must have meant the Nets. They have a new arena, they have Jay-Z… Yeah, he probably meant the Nets." After several phone calls to ask Billups if he "was positive" and "wasn’t just messing around," Knicks management immediately picked up the 34-year-old point guard's option for next year and began negotiating a 10-year, $140 million extension.

Forgot how crazy Chris got in here.