Carmelo Anthony Trade Rumors: 10 Reasons the Knicks Must Wait Until Free Agency
In television love stories, there is the classic “Will they? Won't they?” The NBA's version of that is the New York Knicks and Carmelo Anthony.
The Nuggets forward is one of the league's best players and with the rumor going around the he wants out, the New York Knicks have been the team most likely to garner the services of the star.
However, the Knicks should be patient in their pursuit of Carmelo. Just like a good love story, the timing has to be right, and waiting until Anthony is a free agent in the 2012 offseason is exactly what the Knicks need to do.
Here are 10 reasons why the Knicks should wait to nab Melo.
10. He Loves New York
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This is the crux of the entire argument. He wants to be in New York City. When there was talk of him heading to Jersey, there were whispers Carmelo would never accept a contract extension.
The writing is on the wall: he loves New York. They can wait out the Nuggets. Melo will head to New York as soon as he can.
9. Chicago Isn't A Contender
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The Bulls are the only team there has been rumors about Anthony serious wanting to play for. The Bulls offer an attractive package of Rose, Noah, and Carlos Boozer.
While this seems like a great move for the Bulls, it's a move they are unlikely to make. The Bulls love that they have a deep roster and acquiring Melo (in what would have to be a sign-and-trade move) would come with a price tag of Luol Deng, Taj Gibson, and maybe another piece or two of their roster.
The Bulls like what Melo brings to the table (he's good without the ball), but not at the price of creating a roster with no depth.
8. The Knicks Are Pretenders
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The Knicks are bringing Anthony in with the idea of winning. Winning is a relative thing for the Knicks right now.
Sure, they have dug themselves out of the doldrums, but in an Eastern Conference dominated by the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls, the Knicks are a long way from challenging for a title.
Waiting on Carmelo could give the Knicks time to position themselves better within the Eastern Conference.
7. New CBA Could Be Good News
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Anthony was a fool by not going the LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade way: he should have opted out well before the new CBA is going to be signed.
David Stern is likely to lock the players out next season and won't open the doors until he gets payroll cut across the board; that includes a likely reduction in the years and the money you can give a player on the max contract.
While yes, that means the Knicks will have a smaller payroll as a whole, that should be a problem when they have so much coming off the books.
6. Eddie Curry Won't Count
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Part of the problem the Knicks have had in trading for Carmelo is that they didn't have the value in their players they needed to pull in Carmelo (remember in the NBA, you need to equal money in a trade). The only chip they have had to play was the expiring contract of Eddie Curry.
His $11.2 million was their best financial resource but since the Nuggets had no desire in dealing Melo for a useless Eddie Curry, the only other recourse was to get a third team involved (a la the Minnesota Timberwolves).
However, if the Knicks wait, Curry and his $11 million will be off the books after this season. That means they can wait until after next season (a likely strike-shortened season at that) and go after Melo without worry about finding a taker for Curry's money.
5. They Keep Raymond Felton...For Now
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The only other good trading chip, the Knicks own is Raymond Felton. He makes $7 million a year so he fits the salary requirements for a Carmelo trade.
He's an attractive point guard which the Nuggets either need for the future, or don't need because they already have Chauncey Billups (depending on their vantage point).
But trading Felton at this stage of the game is a mistake. They don't have another player on the team who would be able to feed Anthony and Stoudamire with the same kind of consistency that Felton could.
So unless they can find a replace for Felton, or no that one is coming down the pipe they are better off keeping him.
4. They'll Save On Others, Too
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If you can believe it, the Knicks will have a lot of room for Melo after the 2012 season. The Knicks have six guys set to come off the books this year, and another six set to come off the books next year.
That would leave (assuming they didn't pick up anyone for more than a one-year deal) $36 million in cap room.
Now, of course the lockout will lower the overall cap, but the Knicks would still (in theory) only have $20 million committed to the season. That means they would have enough to spend on Carmelo and likely another superstar if they wanted.
3. They Can Get Chris Paul, Too
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Chris Paul is getting very little attention right now because he's made it clear he's okay with New Orleans...for right now.
But make no mistake that the whispers being heard around the league last season were for a reason. Paul looks set to test the market when he gets out into free agency.
Now, unless the Hornets convince him to sign now while the current CBA is in affect (and he can get more money) then he could be looking to New York.
There won't be a team that can sign Paul who will have two pieces to offer like the Knicks would if they had Amare Stoudamire and Carmelo Anthony. Getting Melo and Paul and in the same offseason allows them to start fresh.
2. They Have Draft Picks...Sort of
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This is complicated, but follow if you will. When the Knicks acquired Tracy McGrady last season, they agreed to swap picks with Houston Rockets in the 2011 NBA Draft.
Now, the Rockets are just outside of that lottery, and the Knicks are a few spots away from there. If, the Rockets draw a lottery pick they won't take New York's pick. This means they can pick up someone at 17.
In 2012, if the same thing happens (which it looks like it should, because Houston will be going through big changes including the loss of four players potentially), the Knicks would get to keep that draft pick as well.
Now two guys in the later first round might not seem like much, but it could be enough to start building some pieces that will complement a package of Paul, Anthony, and Stoudamire nicely in New York City.
1. They Can Replace Mike D'Antoni
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The Knicks aren't in it to excite the fans, they are in it to bring a title back to basketball's Mecca.
Head coach Mike D'Antoni has proven one thing when he was in Phoenix and it's true here: you can't win playing his high-energy, fast-break style of basketball. It works in the regular season but gets you hammered in the playoffs.
The Knicks don't want to bring Carmelo in now and have him learning an offense now, only to have to change it in a year or two when they realize that D'Antoni is the problem.
D'Antoni has a contract set to expire in the 2012 offseason. That's a perfect time to reload with someone who is more defensive minded (like maybe Phil Jackson, who once played for the Knicks and could do damage at MSG).
Either way, they can start over in 2012 and not have to owe anyone a dime. That's a brand-new concept for the Knicks.
This can all happen. The Knicks just need to be patient and wait for free agency.
