I have been watching with intense interest the rumors swirling around Carmelo Anthony and his soon-to-be departure from the Nuggets. I will admit, that I had been looking forward to this ever since LeBum decided to take his talents to South Beach. I was not too depressed because I knew that 'Melo was a free agent next summer and that the Knicks would have a great shot at signing him. Fine, I thought, let the current team gel a bit - find out who was a strong piece of the puzzle, and then make a real bid to sign the free agent 'Melo.
Well, it turns out that Denver management does not want to be played the way that Cleveland was with LeBum. They cleverly dangled a huge contract extension and if 'Melo does not bite, as it seems he won't, they will trade him to make sure they don't end up empty handed.
So now the game has changed from signing him as a free agent next summer to trying to work a trade this year - possibly before the season starts. This is where I begin to fall off the bus. I am concerned that the Knicks would have to give up too much to get him in a trade. Here are my issues:
1. Give up Danillo Gallinari to get 'Melo?
OK. Right now, maybe, 'Melo is a better player than Gallo. But Gallo has huge upside. Last year, which was in all respects his rookie year, he lead the league in 3-pointers and averaged over 15 points a game (on a really bad team). There is a real possibility that he will turn into a Dirk Novitski type of player. I remember Dirk's first few years in the league he was dissed considerably. And now I don't think you would trade him for 'Melo. I would not be in favor of any trade where Gallo is moved to make room for 'Melo.
2. Anthony Randolph for 'Melo?
Randolph is 21, 6' 10", can handle the ball like a guard and by all accounts has all star potential. This is not someone you give up on quickly. He may be a multi-year project, but the Knicks are not a "win now" team. This rebuilding process will take 3-5 years. Randolph will just be coming into his own when the Knicks become a real contender. I am not as strong on this point as I am on Gallo, but I would still be sorry to see him go.
3. Rebuilding takes time and patience
The Knicks have been so far down for so long that you can not fix this in one year. I think Donnie Walsh has done a fabulous job with the hand he has been dealt. Yes, getting LeBum would have been coup. But in the wake of losing out on The Decision he has done a great job assembling some interesting pieces. Let's give this a year and see what we have?
4. Is 'Melo a Max Player?
I don't know. He can score, that is for sure. In buckets. And he did lead Syracuse to the NCAA championship in his one year there. But
Bleacher Report does a great job in comparing him to Dominique Wilkins. Great scorer - The Human Highlight Film - zero rings. Is he 'Nique? Only time will tell. Is he Kobe? Absolutely not. Is he worth $22m per season? I'm thinking NOT.
5. 'Melo is a bit of a Punk
Remember the punk-ass cold-cock punch he laid on Mardy Collins a few years ago?
And this hang out video back in the 'hood
6. Growing your own ain't a bad way to go
I may be old school, but I still think that a strong team can beat a collection of individual talent. Having the right pieces and working with them over a period of team is a legitimate way to go. I want to see how this year goes before I start throwing major pieces away. Even the great Knicks teams of old brought in the final pieces of the puzzle, not the first ones.
So, would I sign Carmelo Anthony as a free agent? In a heartbeat. Would I trade away my core to get him in a trade? Not this year.
