Comments on: Sports Illustrated: Carmelo Anthony open to multiyear deal with Houston Rockets

By: MoneyMan

MoneyMan — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 04:11:01 +0000

In order to match the salary of Melo, the Rockets would only have to trade Jefferies and Battier with Ariza's trade exemption. Martin does not have to be traded for money to work.

By: Camooooo

Camooooo — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 18:03:26 +0000

Defense specialist like Hayes, back up SF behind Melo, Battier was the leading rocket for blocks last year and had many games with 4 or more. Puls, Battier's teaching abilities and mindset are invaluable, i wouldn't be surprised if Melo or Martin became better defenders (not great, but better) when they play with Battier or Lee or Hayes.

By: Blake

Blake — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:49:51 +0000

Melo is Allen Iverson at the 3. Would you trade anything important for AI? I wouldn't.

By: Anthonythompson

Anthonythompson — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:00:24 +0000

Martin has to be included, not just because Denver might want him but to make the financials work. Morey's done almost too good of a job creating a clean roster contract-wise that it's impossible to trade for a high salary player without sacrificing a key player in return. Without Martin, you need to add about 5 players just to equal Carmelo's salary and I don't think that's even feasible for Denver to absorb.

My proposal would be Martin, Jeffries and one of the Knicks picks. I wouldn't be too optimistic. If Denver trades Anthony, they're going to have to do a complete rebuild after Billups leaves and they might prefer going into that scenario with a good young cheap player and plenty of salary cap space. Also, Martin's reputation has taken a hit over the past several years with him being injured so often and playing on bad teams. They might not even value him highly enough.

By: JT

JT — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 10:15:31 +0000

In terms of making the trade work, the Rockets would need to trade Brooks, Martin and Hill just to equate with the cost of Melo. This is interesting since, it would mean Lowry and Lee getting starters minutes. Where does that leave Battier?

By: Nobody is Better Than Jordan

Nobody is Better Than Jordan — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 10:12:11 +0000

@Patrick
Thanks for clarifying that.

By: Bilguunw3

Bilguunw3 — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 10:02:58 +0000

aaron brook
courtney lee
carmelo anthony
scola
yao

this should be enough for carmelo to want to come to houston and reach the nba finals.

By: Anthonythompson

Anthonythompson — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 09:59:01 +0000

I wouldn't put Anthony in the 6-8 range. I'd go, not exactly in hierarchical order, Lebron, Wade, Kobe, Paul, Howard, Durant, Nowitzki, Deron, Gasol, Nash, Roy, Duncan (12 guys) at least in front of Carmelo. Then I'd separate them further by saying Carmelo's more in the second-tier. He's a lot like Martin in a way. He doesn't put up the gaudy true shooting percentages Martin does due to a poor three point shot but he scores a lot of his points from the line and is a liability on defense. Their strengths and weaknesses match up well. Where Carmelo separates from Martin is in his ability to create his own shot in the mid-range. There are times in the game, late in the fourth, against good defenses, that you can't rely on getting fouled all the time or spot up shooting. You need guys who you can give the ball to and have them create. Carmelo's better than Martin at that. He plays on the ball more.

Even if Carmelo could somehow be acquired, there's still the need for a no.1 guy to win a championship. Carmelo is just not a well-rounded enough player to fit that bill. As absurd as it might sound, I'm not sure Carmelo is even a top 2 player on a championship team. A top 2 player who plays on the perimeter has to at least average more than 4 assists and have defensive value. Carmelo comes up short on both, though he could easily average 5 assists with his passing talent.

By: Patrick Harrel

Patrick Harrel — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 09:57:03 +0000

You can't just add up the exceptions in a trade. Each exception can be used to acquire a player making 125% of the exception's value, and while they can be “split up” they can't be added together to get a 9 or 10 million dollar player. Basically the Ariza exception allows us to get anyone making up to 8 million so it would help the Rockets acquire Anthony only if the Nuggets want to shed an extra contract in the deal or they could acquire someone with the exception and send him to the Nuggets.

By: Nobody is Better Than Jordan

Nobody is Better Than Jordan — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 09:37:45 +0000

@Stephen,
actually, according to the ESPN trade machine – don't the Rockets still have over $9 million in accumulated trade exception? I don't know how all the money works in such a scenario, but they've listed other exceptions in addition to Ariza's $6 million which has accumulated to over 9 million. So, would that be applicable? I just think that Morey is going to want more a little more insurance at the 5, ya know. A seasoned PF/C who can run the floor and hold it down defensively, and a good value. Start the season carefully dividing minutes among Yao, Anderson, Miller, and when Yao's health improves, move Miller up and shift Anderson's minutes to back up Scola at PF. I don't know if it's financially feasible, but it's gotta be close enough to be worth the assurance.

By: RFWC

RFWC — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 08:35:15 +0000

While we look with disgust and disdain at the Lakers, taking 2 championships in a row, guess who's had a seat even closer than we do? It's Carmelo Anthony. The Nuggets were nearly swept by the Lakers after the Rockets took them to game 7 just over a year ago. Now Yao is back. This year the Nuggets made not even a whimper in the playoffs. Nuggets are now swallowed up by Karl's throat cancer, and a bunch of 'marquee' players who can't keep up with the Lakers.

Certainly this is not a way to build a legacy. Rockets offer one redemption. They know how to play the Lakers. The league should take notice. The road to the Championship still goes through LA at some point.

Rockets have to outbid the Nets and the Knicks with talent, which shouldn't be too hard.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 08:21:36 +0000

Anderson would cost the Rockets $9mil+. Somehow doubt that's going to happen.

Morey is not going to bid against himself.
Neither NY nor NJ can offer a 20ppg scorer.
Why would Denver trade Carmelo for Vince Carter and a prob very low draft pick or take on the much higher paid Rashard Lewis?
Houston can offer in Martin something no one else has. Plus the Rockets can offer a young talented big-on a rookie contract and if needed multiple draft picks.
The Rockets don't have to throw in the kitchen sink to make an offer no one else can match. The question is if Carmelo really wants to come to Houston.

By: Nobody is Better Than Jordan

Nobody is Better Than Jordan — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 07:59:05 +0000

With the trade exception cash left from Ariza, Houston can insist Denver slip Chris Anderson into the deal too. Most likely necessary considering we'll need added insurance between the C and PF position, and Chris “Birdman” Anderson would fit that very nicely. Plus, he'd quickly become a crowd favorite, a true warrior on the court. It really can work, and work well.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 07:41:05 +0000

TChizza,
I think Martin has to be included because of size of his contract.
From there I can see Morey giving up one of his young bigs,but not both.
Hill looks more ready now and has a slightly larger contract,so I would imagine he would be the one included. Anthony Johnson has a small non-guaranteed contract that if included,makes the deal work(Martin,Hill,Johnson for Carmelo is w/in the 25%.) The Rockets would have to include at least 1 First,maybe 2.
I tend to believe simple trades are the easiest done. While we as fans might like to swap 1/3 of the roster on a deal,trying to unload those we don't like,real GMs have all kinds of roster and other considerations.
While a Martin and Jeffries or Battier deal is certainly feasible,I just think Denver would prefer to take in less in salaries(and Hou isn't going to take on a fortune is salaries) and what I suggested would save the Nuggets $3-4mil(depending on waiving Johnson) and the equivalent in Lux tax.Some of that savings would go to a new SF,but having Hill would save money on trying to get another big.
The Nuggets would need a SF,perhaps they might try buying Xavier Henry from Memphis w/cash(possib from Hou) and a Future First.

By: Carlos

Carlos — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 07:11:28 +0000

bolder yet, what if they include billups in exchange for martin/AB ??

YAO/SCOLA/MELO/LEE/BILLUPS

By: mike

mike — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 07:01:12 +0000

It would be interesting, though highly improbable, to have Brooks-Martin-and Melo,

By: Rocketsfann1

Rocketsfann1 — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 06:54:58 +0000

WOW…If Melo does decide to come to the rockets, that would just be awesome…and I think the trade with the Nets was a trade that was setting up for this trade ( we traded Ariza, our SF, for Lee, a SG) By trading our SF, it opens up the position for Melo and also by Lee coming over, he is a solid 2 gaurd. I'm thinking that if the trade went down, Kevin Martin would be involved because Martin is a scoring gaurd, so there fore you have to trade him in order to get another great scorer in Melo. Lee would fit the Rockets SG role perfectly as he is a solid role player. Also, Battier is probably involved as Budinger is a bright young SF and could be Melo's back up. MOREY, PLEASE MAKE THIS HAPPEN!

PG – Brooks/ Lowry
SG – Lee/ Taylor
SF – Melo/Budinger
PF – Scola / Jeffries
C – Yao/ Miller/ Hayes

2010 – 2011 ! It's TIME!

By: Carlos

Carlos — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 06:38:11 +0000

what if we send AB in the deal? he's due a new contract anyways, and we just inked kyle lowry to starter type salary. i think a lineup of YAO,SCOLA,MELO,MARTIN,LOWRY would have opposing teams in the penalty pretty early.

By: TChizza

TChizza — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 06:22:06 +0000

Denver fan here but I'm checking out the Houston/NJ/NY boards just to see what kind of trade proposals people are putting together. I'm not trolling, just interested in thoughts.

My first instinct when I saw Houston was:

Melo/Birdman for Battier/Jeffries/Hill/Patterson + a small contract of your choosing to match salaries and NYK's 2012 first rounder.

My second was:

Melo for Martin/Hill/Patterson and NYK's 2012 1st.

In both cases the salaries work and I could digest either as a Nuggets fan. I think both aren't fantastical in demands as I'm not asking for Martin and Battier + Hill and Patterson in either deal. Obviously my favored trade would be a Melo/Bird for a Martin/Battier/Hill/Patterson but that's probably asking too much.

By: Dothisnow

Dothisnow — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 05:27:23 +0000

It's officially become a bidding war. Next is determining what Denver would want in a Denver trade. I realize that you can never get back true value in any Melo trade scenarios.
However, in thelikely case that he is leaning toward bolting in the off-season, what are the team's demands in any trade offers? My guess...

1. At least one established talent
2. A couple good/young/cheap prospects
3. Expiring contracts or T/E
4. Potential future lottery picks
5. Take back unwanted contracts

The Rox can offer Denver all of the above and still field a good enough team to challenge the Lakers in the west. If the Nugs trade Melo, then they really don't have much use for a 34 y/o Billups. So this would be my offer

Melo + Billups + C. Andersen + Balkman

for

Martin + Brooks + Hill + Battier + Jeffries + NY swap '11 + NY '12

Yao/Miller/Hayes
Scola/Andersen/Pattersen
Melo/Chase/Balkman
Lee/Taylor
Billups/Lowry/Ish

By: Daniel

Daniel — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 03:45:08 +0000

That trade is completely…. unnecessary? Sorry, but I wouldn't sell all of our young base, including our most recent first round pick -__-

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 03:41:39 +0000

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?trade….

now this trade would work.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 03:27:33 +0000

Cannot have Carmelo and Martin together. Too much needing of shots,too little D.(Adelman went on record that he never wanted to have to outscore teams again.)
Martin and either Hill+Johnson or Jeffries,a First would be an equitable package.(Denver wants a big,gets a 20ppg scorer and a future First,a modest $3mil TPE,cap relief and can go out and get a defensive SF fairly cheap.)
Still pretty dubious about Melo accepting a deal w/Houston. Sounds like an agent making nice w/Houston for future/past clients.

Of course my first thought when I heard Melo was available was to see if there'd be a way to also trade for Paul,but the Brooks/Ariza history puts a huge crimp on that.

By: Tony

Tony — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 03:23:46 +0000

If Denver ware smart, they would trade with the Rockets and ask for the draft picks. By this, they screw over NY and the chances of NY going to lottery just shot up. By doing that, those draft picks they acquire from the Rockets are now very valuable. The perfect double screw you to NY. LOL

By: Rocket Fan in Santa Barbara

Rocket Fan in Santa Barbara — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 03:18:13 +0000

Brian,

Melo has three teams he's interested in, thus far--Rockets, Knicks, Nets. As Ty185 notes below, the Nets could offer Favors, and throw in Murphy (huge expiring contract) plus draft picks. The Nuggets would be bad for this year, but they have a lot of expiring contracts, so they would have only $35 million or so under contract for 2011-12, with a promising core of Favors, Lawson, and Nene. Without Martin, could the Rockets offer a better deal? I'm not sure, especially if we presume that the Nuggets have little interest in Brooks or Lowry.