[publius2481Participant]

Mark Stein is reporting the Knicks approached Cleveland about a Love for Melo (which Cleveland wisely rebuffed). While I know Lebron would love to play with Melo, at this time Love is the better and younger player, so no way Cleveland should do this. This got me thinking about how could a trade for Melo be constructed. Running the salary numbers, excluding Lebron, Love, and Irving from a trade, the money only works if Cleveland gives up either Smith or Thompson and Frye. Doubt Cleveland wants to deal Thompson, so it looks like Smith and Frye. So my questions are first, since a one on one deal does not help NY rebuild, what teams might want Smith or Frye and what value would either have? Next, would that be enough for NY to move Melo? Finally, assuming NY takes the deal, should Cleveland pull the triggger?

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

I was reading this on espn and at first I was like yeah right no way…but then it got me thinking…carmelo can play the stretch floor as good or better than Kevin Love and he also has the ability to give lebron extended rest without a significant drop off. So I talked my self into it that Carmelo would not see that nightly double team playing for the cavs and you gotta think he would play real team basketball like he plays with team usa from the massive influence lebron has on that team.. Throw in Brandon Jennings with Carmelo and you got a deal if I was David Griffin. Salary excluded.

[negguaryParticipant]

 alreadybsaid no to the right out swap. At this point melo has just gotten too old even though I agree with all of your points and believe he would be a bigger difference maker than love is. The fact is loves contract is cheaper and he’s younger. 

[binetParticipant]

Rumor had this summer Smith to the sixers and others, even if it seemed to be an agent trick to inflate his salary. I think the sixers would be willing to take his contract still, if NY gave them something in return, maybe their 2017 first.

Similarily, Frye would easily be acquired, his salary is smaller so even without NY giving assets.

The Philly situation for Smith is interesting though because Philly could very well give you a free Okafor.

Smith contract+ NY 2017 1st for Okafor looks like one of the better way to get rid of Smith’s contract, given Okafor for NY 2017 1st straight up is arguably fair, and NY is reportedly interested in Okafor, who is clearly on sale.

In the end, this just looks like giving away Melo for negative value though, so I doubt it would be done.

 

 

 

 

[Author]

Posts