Paul and 'Melo
by Schneebles on Jul 22, 2010 12:15 PM CDT
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PrintFirst time poster, long time reader. I'll try to keep this quick.
As I was looking over the sports news today and learning of Chris Paul's demands to be traded preferably to a team that will then be able to make a run at another superstar (such as Carmelo), I couldn't help shake the thought that there might not be a better team in the league suited to make a run at both players than our beloved T-Wolves. Just like the Celtics before the Allen and KG trades, the Timberwolves have two things going for them: assets and cap space. For instance, couldn't we make a trade with New Orleans somewhere along the lines of Rubio, Brewer, some picks and cap relief for Paul, and then make a trade with Denver along the lines of Beasley, Pekovic, one of our wings, and several picks for 'Melo (maybe we'd have to include Love, but I really like the idea of a Paul, Melo, Love combo for years to come)? Especially since New Orleans is looking to dump salary with their impending sale and Denver isn't especially confident they can resign 'Melo? These particular trades may be a bit optimistic for the Wolves, but couldn't we offer both teams something way better than anything the Knicks or Magic could offer?
While I feel like this scenario is POTENTIALLY feasible, I also can't shake the thought that it could never, EVER happen. Such a trade would require both players to accept coming to MN when they both could have the opportunity to play in New York or Orlando. Not exactly sure how we could compete with those two teams in terms of locational desirability. Just another example of the HUGE disadvantage Kahn has when it comes to dealing with these prima donna athletes and their unwillingness to play in a cold weather location.
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New York has Curry’s contract to offer the Hornets, so there’s the cap relief. That plus a couple young guys that they just aquired from Golden State and maybe a future pick could get them Paul. Then next year I think they would be able to sign Melo. Seems a more likely Scenario.
by Achilles Fang 1 on Jul 22, 2010 12:36 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Man, how pissed would you be if you were a Hornets fan
and you wake up to read that Chris Paul was traded for cap relief and someone like Kelenna Azubuike? Yikes…
Actively looking for red flags since my 5th grade traveling team
I thought about it as well and love the idea of sending Rubio and I feel like thats one of the best single assets out there in a trade. it also allows them to tank this year grab a high pick and pair that pick with Rubio in a year or two. Could be a great deal except , as said above, “it could never, EVER Happen”
Someone should really point out exactly how much worse the Knicks’ “big 3” would be than the Heat’s. LeBron is better than Paul. Wade’s a lot better than Melo. And unless Amare can stay healthy or figure out how to play defense, I’ll go Bosh in that matchup too. If you’re going to tie up all your capspace in 3 guys, you better make sure that they’re about as good as the team that you’re trying to emulate.
heart of a champion, will of the warrior.
I agree
I like Paul and Melo but don’t think Amare is as good as the rest if these guys.
by Achilles Fang 1 on Jul 22, 2010 12:48 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I think it would be close enough
Especially because Paul’s greatest gift is setting the table for other guys. The NY three may be a little more complementary, if less talented.
Also, I think that the gap between Paul and DWade/LeBron is less than most people perceive it to be.
I think Paul is a top 3 NBA player when he’s healthy. He and Dwade are essentially equals in my mind. I’m not saying this as a slight to him, but if he and Wade are on the same level, the gap between LeBron/Bosh and Melo/Amare is a pretty big deal. I’m also not worried about the fit in Miami and feel like LeBron will embrace the role of playmaker very well. I think LeBron in Miami will be our best shot at seeing the Big O’s triple double season average challenged. In the end, I see him coming closer to a 22/9/8, but he’ll give us a reason to talk about those numbers again.
heart of a champion, will of the warrior.
This made we think
Orlando could make a run at both players.
How crazy would that be to have the Miami trio and the Orlando trio (Paul, Melo, Howard) in the same division.
That would set up some awesome Eastern Conference finals match ups for the next 5 years.
I'm almost embarrassed
that I had the same thought this morning, but you did a nice job summarizing it. My guess is that even if the numbers worked, Paul would just chuckle if the Wolves called.
I’d still like to know what the background was of Paul Allen’s goofy thing on ’Melo a few weeks ago.
Paul wants contender
So wolves are out, but would’t that also eliminate the Knicks? Paul going to Orlando sounds feasible but can you imagine the amount of alley-oops Paul and Howard would rack up in a game
Paul and Amare is a really good combo on offense. That’s a top 5 team in the East, for sure (but pretty much any team that lands Paul is a threat to win a playoff series or two, as long as the cupboard isn’t completely bare when he gets there). And if the rumors about Melo headed that way are true, they’d be a contender.
heart of a champion, will of the warrior.
Gaining respect
The t-wolves and even Kahn are gaining some respect. Everyone loves to hate on Kahn, but that’s for people that don’t know a lot. ESPN and other basketball analysts are starting to come around on this. Right now I believe that the general sense of the public( just from reading articles) are that the t-wolves are terrible, but not for long. It seems like everyone thinks that we are making a lot of moves to acquire a lot of young talent. I don’t think Paul or Melo would be opposed as seeing them rebulilding, but rather as the missing piece. I’m really excited to see how we do this year. We were competitve in a lot more games than we won. Add a maturing Ellington, Pekovic, and Wes and Martell instead of Wilkins and Gomes I can’t imagine the difference. I think the t-wolves are probably in the top 10 teamsin the NBA on the rise or on the way up. A lot of teams are going to have to start rebuliding (Suns, Raptors, Cavs, Spurs w/o Duncan but are still good.)
Trade
I also think that Kahn nhas mostly accepted the fact that not a lot of people are to come via free agency. I also beleive that he has no doubt that if people come here they won’t leave, for the way they are treated here. The only problem is them getting them hear. I think he’s doing the Jefferson deal and all the cap space so make a big move in trade dealine this year.
I think we are going to try for Melo, but it would be dumb cuz he sounds like he wants NY. However, Paul, AMare, Melo vs Lebron, Wade, and Bosh would be awesome to see. However, the team to watch is the Hawks. The just signed Joe Johnson to that ridiuclous contract and AL Horford is a restricted free agent next year. I beleive he will get close to a max contract wheteher he’s worth it or not. That leaves Josh Smith the odd man out. He would be perfect to run’n’gun and be Rubio’s pick and roll partner. ALso he is a standout defender. I think Kahn is desiring him as the number one attainable target. Since the Hawks will be hurting forcap room, we wouldn’t have to give up a ton either to get him.
Red Herrings
This team will not make a legitimate play for a star player for a few years. Kahn may talk about it, but it’s more for perception and promotion. The Wolves want the fanbase to think that they are trying to spend that cap room. But, there are two things working against them. First, these players don’t want to come here. Now, we could try to trade for a star, like Paul. But, does anyone think that Paul would be happy coming here at this juncture? Second, Taylor and his cohorts are bleeding money. So, they’ve effectively had Kahn do a major cost-cutting initiative under the guise of “flexibility”. And, I don’t blame them for that. When you have to sell season tix at $4 a seat per game, it’s hard to justify paying someone $20 Mill a yr.
In a few yrs, when / if Rubio is playing, and Beasley is dominating, and the role players are proven performers, and we are one or two players away from contending… that’s when it’s the right time to try and bring in a star. Until then, it’s a fool’s endeavor.
I agree. I don’t think they want to spend money until they are a playoff team and Rubio has lived up to the hype. I don’t know if the reason is to save Taylor money as much as that is just an added benefit.
by Achilles Fang 1 on Jul 23, 2010 1:42 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
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