I'd do it, the proposed deal by the real deal. Then again I'm in the mood to make changes for the sake of making changes. Melo would help shore up our offense and ability to close games but the dude doesn't play defense and that's our main problem. Plus he's 33? He's going to drop off at some point soon and were stuck with another Kobelike situation. Is he enough to draw stars here? Who knows.
Kind of sounds like getting back the old Kobe, taking all the shots and slowing down the development of our kids. Do not like.
No thanks, he's a compete ball-stopper, plays no defense, he serves no purpose here same as he doesn't in NY. He still puts up 22 ppg, but it's hollow to me, he doesn't translate to wins, he's been declining, he just missed the All-Star game same as Wade, the league is passing him by. I can only see him going for a deal like with the Clippers if they don't have to give up any of Paul, Jordan, or Griffin, in which case adding him to that roster does help that team.
lol Melo with Rose & Porzingis can't even get out of the lotto in the Eastern conference, heading into his mid-30's, I guess if you consider that Mitch and Jim have all but hog-tied us for the next 3 at least years anyways with Moz & Deng it seems doable but I just don't like giving up any long term youth nor sacrificing growth by handing over the ball for 20 attempts and who knows how many touches a game. Over long term I don't think anything we can come up with will be a even a lateral move, just a sell-a-few-more-tickets move for a couple years. And I don't think that's a problem for us either.
I understanding buying low. But my basketball caveat for dummies would be to do nothing the Knicks have done. Yes that works quite nicely, don't bring back Phil, don't get Carmello, don't get Derrick Rose or Noah. We have journeymen level vets as our starters. Why would we want someone who is rapidly dwindling to being a starter level player used as our all star or worse yet franchise player. His usage, lack of defense and fading ego makes him a no go. He did a lot for the Knicks in terms of hype but not so much in terms of basketball. You can trade down to tank, and you can trade to go from the middle to the upper teams. I don't see this as more than a lateral move, and at worse a soul excoriating fiasco. Your superstar has to be just that. The Joe Johnson analogy was absolutely accurate by Purp n Gold. Melo doesn't want to lead (deep down) he wants location (we have it) but also a kitset championship team. Something the Cavs, or the Clippers would provide (or at least I feel he would buy into. Do we really want to see Phil with Nance or Clarkson? No you don't!
god no they need to develop russell, randle, ingram, clarkson, nance, etc trading one or two of the kids for an aging star who's past his prime would be incredibly stupid given the situation and would only lengthen this already tedious rebuild
the counter-argument is that you probably can't keep everyone, so you cash in while you can (before people know you have to sell). now, melo probably isn't the right target there, but then again, if i'm dumping moz or deng's salary in a deal, that's a big win. anyway, if the lakers move anyone, i'd prefer it bring back serious defensive players. i've wanted wes matthews for a while (guessing dallas wouldn't bite on clarkson or nance), for example. isn't that liggins guy that lebron hates a good defender? offer them calderon's veteran presence!
Supposing it were Mozgov or Deng, Clarkson, and Nance... Melo does two good things for us. Scores. Might be able to lure a FA here. He does some bad things, too. Loses. Shoots a s***load. Misses a s***load. Doesn't defend. Is on the books for $55M over the next two seasons.
He could be someone's Glen Rice for a title push. (Not the sniper, just a missing piece) I fail to see the fit here unless we unload 1 albatross contract, and flip him for more assets. (Assuming the no trade clause goes away)
At this point Melo "ability" to lure a FA here is equal as post achilles injury Kobe was i.e extremely low . If Melo player option was next season ( and be sure he'll opt out and Lakers not offering him a new contract) and not in two years , the deal would make more sense ... even if losing both Nance and JC for the only purpose to dump Deng contract is too much of a price.
I've been wanting Wes Mathews for years now, before and after his injury. That's one I would certainly make the trade for as long as its reasonable and we make out by getting rid of Deng or Moz's contract
Some of the other names out there excite me more. Love, Millsap, Dragic, Bledsoe. Tucker available for a late 1st reportedly. I'd love to get in as a 3rd wheel in a Melo or Love trade that lands us Love or some nice pieces from the C Bags or whoever like IT. At the end of the day I'd be happy if we landed Melo for the reported package. We have no go-to scorers on this team and Melo won't be around very long so he can step down when 1 of the young guys is ready to take that spot.
Perhaps we could be intstrumental to moving him to the right place by unloading Deng/Mozgov to a third team.
