I recall Aug 5 being the 1st day they could trade Ntilikina. I raise that point only because I wonder about the current trade eligibility of HOUs young assets and when they may be able to trade Qi, Troy Williams (not a rookie, but just signed), Hartenstein etc. Same applies to Portland and their draft haul i.e. Collins, Swanigan.
On another note, I have a fleeting thought about the following. Most BBIers think Clint Capela is off limits in a package for Melo and that would almost definitely be correct. However, I wonder if you could structure a Melo deal that included Hernangomez for Capela.
Reasons:
1 Capela coexists with KP better than Hernangomez
2 Given his great hands, ability to finish with either hand and high intellect --- Hernangomez in a PNR D'Antoni offense is nasty
As much as I like Hernangomez, Capela is the better young BIG. Does CC being the better fit plus flat out the better young player possibly lead to a Melo deal that is palatable for both teams i.e.
_____________________________________________
Melo + WH
for
CC + Ariza + Gordon + Troy Williams
_____________________________________________
NYK: Of course, with Gordon that means you have 3 SGs now but trading Courtney Lee for value won't be a problem. But now you have 2 of the NBAs best young BIGs + Frank + THJ + Troy Williams (and Dotson, Baker). That is a lot of youthful foundation.
HOU: Now they have the CP3 + JH + Melo + Anderson + Hernangomez (tremendous firepower) and they have Tarik Black, Isiah Taylor MBah a Moute and still have the two rookie BIGs. Defensively, despite CP3 and MBah a Moute, they're a nightmare.
I don't really believe in this trade b/c I don't think HOU would be willing to include CC under any circumstance (other than something crazy like KP being involved). But I do think this is a more fair deal for both sides than the notion of Ryan Anderson + Hartenstein + a pick coming back to NYK. This is really more of a thought stirrer than a proposal since I haven't yet landed on a HOU deal without a 3rd team that makes 100% sense.
...and avoids the RA part of the deal.
We are a lottery team with or without Melo.
For the first time, the Knicks are not rushed to do anything and can wait everyone out.
If Melo pouts all year so be it can really hurt anybody but Melo
Kp + Capela + Williams + Frank + THJ + Dotson + Baker
being a better young group than
Kp + Hernangomez + Frank + THJ + Dotson + Baker
and youre not taking on the poison of RAs contract
Kp + Capela + Williams + Frank + THJ + Dotson + Baker
being a better young group than
Kp + Hernangomez + Frank + THJ + Dotson + Baker
and youre not taking on the poison of RAs contract
Hernangomez does not get the deal done so why throw him in?
The Knicks do not need to sweeten the deal to get it done.
It's on Houston to pay for Melo if they want him
a) Capela (especially w/ Williams) > WH
b) Capela is > fit next to KP than WH
c) Melo doesn't not seem to be wavering from the NTC other than HOU
d) its unlikely NYK/Melo do something drastic like pay him to not be active for games, reduce his in game role, release him etc. so its a matter of getting creative to find a mutually beneficial package
a) Capela (especially w/ Williams) > WH
b) Capela is > fit next to KP than WH
c) Melo doesn't not seem to be wavering from the NTC other than HOU
d) its unlikely NYK/Melo do something drastic like pay him to not be active for games, reduce his in game role, release him etc. so its a matter of getting creative to find a mutually beneficial package
I get it but you could flip Willy for a pick or other asset.
Don't sweeten the pot to Houston
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