Sources: Nets, Nuggets reach agreement; now it's up to Carmelo Anthony to say yes

[MattyFos.]

That is a stupid deal for the Nets. Prokhorov probably does not know how valuable first rounders are. Giving up 4 first round picks??? That is stupid.

Shut up... The Russian may be reading this...


YES, IT'S A GREAT DEAL FOR THE NETS!!!!!!11 GIVE THE CAVS TWO FIRST ROUNDERS TO TAKE TROY MURPHY!!!!!11 MELO IS A FRANCHISE CARRYING STUD!!!!1

 

[Noonan]

How is this dumb for NJ? You're getting Carmelo Anthony. This is a superstar's league, and Melo is one of maybe 10 superstars out there. He's only 26. Not to mention, this move would be more about next year and the year after than this year for NJ.

If the Nets do this deal they still won't make the playoffs. And even if they somehow did they'd get dismantled by the Celtics, Heat, Magic and Bulls. Once this year comes and goes then what do they do? They will have an old point guard with maybe two good years left, a seven footer who makes Chris Bosh look like a tough guy and a top 15 player. That trio would be complimented by no bench, no draft picks and no young talent.

And go easy on calling Melo a superstar. That should be reserved for the truly elite players. Melo isn't in that caliber.

 

[castor777]

Melo is not a superstar. He's one of the most gifted scorers in the league, yes, but he's not a guy that's guaranteed to carry a team like the Nets to 50 wins by himself. If you're calling Melo one - minus well call Kevin Martin and Brandon Roy superstars too.

And Billups will be a part of this deal, but he will not go to the Nets. He's made it clear a month ago that if he's dealt, he will ask for a buyout. http://nba.fanhouse.com/2011/01/08/chauncey-billups-would-seek-buyout-if-traded-by-denver-says-age/

 

[Adam]

as long as billups doesnt go play for the heat i dont mind what happens. The last thing i want to see lebron kick the ball out for a corner 3 is mr big shot

 

[The Voice]

If the Nets do this deal they still won't make the playoffs. And even if they somehow did they'd get dismantled by the Celtics, Heat, Magic and Bulls. And I would definitely favor the Hawks. Once this year comes and goes then what do they do? They will have an old point guard with maybe two good years left, a seven footer who makes Chris Bosh look like a tough guy and a top 15 player. That trio would be complimented by no bench, no draft picks and no young talent.

And go easy on calling Melo a superstar. That should be reserved for the truly elite players. Melo isn't in that caliber.

Some of you are vastly underrating the talent of Melo and the Veteran leadership/experience of Billups. Maybe we can give the Nets Parker as well to give them a shooter to space the floor for their 2nd. Screw the Bulls!

 

[MattyFos.]

Some of you are vastly underrating the talent of Melo and the Veteran leadership/experience of Billups. Maybe we can give the Nets Parker as well to give them a shooter to space the floor for their 2nd. Screw the Bulls!

I don't want to just GIVE Parker away because I feel bad about the dismantling of the Nets roster... Sorry. Throw in a second and you can get Weak Sauce. Hell it's "The Russian"

Grant "If you give us three 2nd rouns picks and cash considerations, we'll throw in Anthony Parker.. He's REALLY REALLY GOOD"
Russian "Yeah, I like Tony Parker, he had some good seasons on the Spurs.... He's great. Okay!"

 

[Triumph36]

You just don't get it. Melo wants to play for the Knicks, but Denver WILL NOT pull the trigger unless NYK offer what they want. Melo wants max money.

Yes, Denver will pull the trigger. They aren't stupid and frankly don't have a choice.

It was the same way with LeBron. The Cavs could've said "nope, the Miami package sucks so we won't trade you lololol!" but they didn't. Why? Because they didn't want to be left with absolutely nothing.

If the Nets do this deal they still won't make the playoffs. And even if they somehow did they'd get dismantled by the Celtics, Heat, Magic and Bulls. Once this year comes and goes then what do they do? They will have an old point guard with maybe two good years left, a seven footer who makes Chris Bosh look like a tough guy and a top 15 player. That trio would be complimented by no bench, no draft picks and no young talent.

And go easy on calling Melo a superstar. That should be reserved for the truly elite players. Melo isn't in that caliber.

I imagine their plan for the future is to spend spend spend. Buy as many draft picks as possible, max out the available exceptions every year, always try to move expirings you don't plan to re-sign for other decent contributors, etc.

It's certainly not ideal....but I think they could make it work as long as Prok is willing to open his checkbook.

 

[The Voice]

Yes, Denver will pull the trigger. They aren't stupid and frankly don't have a choice.

It was the same way with LeBron. The Cavs could've said "nope, the Miami package sucks so we won't trade you lololol!" but they didn't. Why? Because they didn't want to be left with absolutely nothing.

Except Melo is giving them leverage by saying he's considering NJ. NYK's either will be forced to up the ante or be left out in the cold. If it wasn't Woj I probably would say it's a farce, but he said Melo wants max money and is considering NJ.

I imagine their plan for the future is to spend spend spend. Buy as many draft picks as possible, max out the available exceptions every year, always try to move expirings you don't plan to re-sign for other decent contributors, etc.

It's certainly not ideal....but I think they could make it work as long as Prok is willing to open his checkbook.

So the Dan Gilbert approach?

 

[Rich]

Why do people keep saying we should trade our TPE for Murphy and a pick? Isn't Murphy an expiring contract? If so, why would they trade him and a pick for the TPE? Just to save some money for the rest of this season? I doubt it.

Because Denver has said they don't want to take him....

 

[Jon]

Uh, we tried that approach. It doesn't work with egomaniacs.

I wish Prokhorov luck if his pitch is that Melo will be playing for his hometown, because he's from Baltimore not New York/Jersey.

 

[The Voice]

I wish Prokhorov luck if his pitch is that Melo will be playing for his hometown, because he's from Baltimore not New York/Jersey.

He moved to B'more when he was 8. He's from Brooklyn born in the Red Hook Projects.

 

[TJ Detweiler]

This basically makes the Nets the 2007 Cavs, except that Melo isn't LeBron and teams have gotten ALOT better since then...

 

[NarlCavs]

I'm not sure the Cavs can get two #1 picks for taking on Murphy. Love it to happen and they should try but circumstances are a little different now from when Seattle/OKC used their TPE to acquire multiple #1's a few years ago.

Also wonder if the Cavs could turn around and trade Murphy to another team to acquire either another #1 or a young player. There is interest from a few teams in picking him up.

I think you probably have to do it even if you only get one #1. I want to get something out of the TPE and with quite of few of them around the league and a looming lockout that might be the best you can do right now. Of course it's not my money being spent on taking on Murphy's contract.

 

[Zog]

I wish Prokhorov luck if his pitch is that Melo will be playing for his hometown, because he's from Baltimore not New York/Jersey.

He lived in Brooklyn until he was 8.

 

[JayDub]

Melo is not a superstar. He's one of the most gifted scorers in the league, yes, but he's not a guy that's guaranteed to carry a team like the Nets to 50 wins by himself. If you're calling Melo one - minus well call Kevin Martin and Brandon Roy superstars too.

And Billups will be a part of this deal, but he will not go to the Nets. He's made it clear a month ago that if he's dealt, he will ask for a buyout. http://nba.fanhouse.com/2011/01/08/chauncey-billups-would-seek-buyout-if-traded-by-denver-says-age/

I think you're wrong here. Being able to lead your team to 50 wins something that no single person can do. Wade couldn't do it once Shaq left, there was a 3 year period where the Lakers fell under 50 wins post Shaq/pre Gasol. I don't think during that time we wouldn't consider Kobe or Wade not a superstar. I know they have rings but they had a lot of help getting those rings.


This league is star driven. Landing Melo is all that matters. They get their guy and keep Lopez. They have two pieces they can build around and one of them is a top 5 player in the league and the other, up until this year he was the best young center prospect in the league. I don't get the undervaluing of Melo. Two years ago everyone was slobbing him when they pushed the Lakers to 7 in WCF and very easily could have win that series. He's still that good of a player. You can't even mention Durant/Rose in that argument until they win a playoff series let alone get to the conference finals.

If the Nets don't make a move they run the risk of not getting him at all. Where does that leave the state of the franchise??? still waiting, and losing even more money as they get ready to make a move to Brooklyn with no excitement surrounding the move. They essentially would be in the same boat as the Cavs are; playing the lottery. That is no guarantee to being anything great.

What people aren't taking into consideration will be their ability to attract free agents in the following years. When they make the move to Brooklyn the Nets will become as attractive a destination as any other place in the league. If I were CP3 or I'd rather play with Melo/Lopez on the Nets than Amare/Gallinari/Chandler. If they wanted to move Lopez to get Howard they probably could too.