Melo

 Trade is very salary cap dependant (in addition to Melo’s no trade clause).

Most contenders already are above the max. I don’t think Melo could/should net the Knicks any important player with equivalent contract, so that makes the cavs (Love) and Clippers (Griffin) often talked about destinations unlikely unless NY is giving away their pick, which would be the dumbeest thing ever.

Houston apparently (realgm trade machine), Melo for Brewer and Sam Dekker would work. Dekker gives New York a young talent. I don’t see Melo going there though, not sure he still believe in D’Antoni after all that happened in NY. 

Houston has a great thing going – why bring in a ball-stopper like Carmelo.

Chemistry is the most under-appreciated team attribute…disrupting it completely ruins things

D’Antoni never wanted to trade for melo in New York and the two didn’t exactly have a smooth relationship. I couldn’t see the rockets looking to make a deal for melo now, especially when they have been playing so well.

He has Porzingis and still can’t make it to the playoffs. Thats pretty awful. With that in mind that salary is a pretty big chunk for a team to take on for a player who couldn’t make it work with an elite big man on his team. He is stuck in NY 

I don’t really see Carmelo going to a contender as a lot of them are pretty set with how there team is going, in saying that a team like Houston or Boston who is considered in that tier below the likes of Golden State and Cleveland may take a risk and bring him in to see if it works. Boston could be intriguing with Thomas, Horford and Anthony and with their picks wouldn’t really have to give up any real current talent.

Those other teams could be:

Dallas – We know Cuban has tried to get Melo before and is not afriad of risk, if Dallas still believes they can make play-off push then this could happen, problem is that Dallas doesn’t have a lot to offer and it may hurt Barnes’ growth to bring in Melo. The outgoing would be expiring deals of Bogut and/or Williams, all though this trade would likely need a 3rd party.
Williams, Matthews, Melo, Barnes, Nowitzki – Could be a playoff team.

Orlando – They have said they need more scoring and Carmelo offers more scoring. He isn’t as good as he once was, but I think he could give Orlando a shot at the playoffs. Outgoing would likely be Fournier who is young but seems to have fallen out of favour in Orlando and maybe Ibaka or Biyombo even though they just arrived. I could see Orlando asking for Lee a defensive minded a guy who Vogel would like.
Payton, Lee, Anthony, Gordon, Vucevic – Again not a bad looking starting line-up, puts Gordon where he needs to be.

Chicago – FInally see Wade and Melo together, not with LBJ but Jimmy Butler. The only way to get salaries to match were adding in Rondo’s contract, so to me NY taking that back there would need to be a pick involved to compensate. I look at Mirotic and McDermott who are young shooters who could fit nicely in front-court along with Porzingis who will ultimately be a C I feel.
MCW, Wade, Butler, Anthony, Lopez – A lot of star power, would be interesting to watch.

I know it’s impossible but the clips have to figure out a way to get him on the team without trading Blake. That’s prolly the only place he’ll go to. Make some magic happen doc

I wouldn’t mind him in OKC, even if it’s just a 1-2 year rental. It would give Westbrook some breathing room and help pick up a bit of the scoring lost by Durant. Thunder are probably a playoff team as-is but with another scorer like Melo could push the second or third round.

Only thing is I have no idea who to give up for him, Knicks will probably want someone young so maybe toss Payne in there since they’ve played without him all year anyways. They have Rose & Jennings but both are has-beens at this point especially with the Rose issues recently. Payne for Melo straight up isn’t enough though so maybe toss in Abrines & Singler to help match Melo’s huge contract.

Double post…