The super Melo to Portland thread + The Big Blockbuster

It's been widely reported by nearly everyone that for Melo to go to the Rockets, they wanted Harkless from Portland.
Portland didn't want Anderson's contract, nor does NY.
Houston was looking for a 4th team
NY doesn't want Nards & Portland was demanding he be part of the trade to help facilitate the trade. Aka give NY want they want.

Now Portland says they'll no longer facilitate because Anderson for Harkless + Nards is idiotic.

If you've been paying attention to Woj for the past week you'd know all this.

 

I should add that from my perusal of Clutchfans (always a guilty pleasure, especially when things aren't going the Rockets' way), they seem to consider Anthony a superstar who would put them on the same level as Golden State. While I think that's a laughable idea, they'd probably view Portland getting Anthony as stealing their chance at beating Golden State and winning a title. Them feeling that way would make me so happy.

 

Anderson, at his current salary, is garbage. He isn't a second option, but he's being paid like one. He's aging. Nobody wants him.

 

It's like they think they're getting the Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony from five years ago.

 

Well, to be fair, I'd still say Paul is a top-ten player even if no longer at his absolute peak. Anthony though...isn't. Great name value, though.

 

Eh, I don't think I'd put Paul in the top 10 at this point. There are probably 10 players that are better. I definitely think Curry and Westbrook are better at this stage of their careers.

 

Minstrel, in a way, I would prefer them getting Anthony and having them fall comically short, leaving them salary hamstrung for the forseeable future.

 

Also, Anthony's not that great anymore. That seems to get lost a lot. New York doesn't want just cap relief, they seem to want cap relief plus an interesting young player or two. Neither Cleveland nor Houston has those (or, really, any other types of assets they'd be willing to trade). New York's options are pretty capped--even Portland might not be an option for them, it depends on whether Anthony is willing to go to Portland. Assuming Portland becomes an acceptable destination for Anthony, New York's choices are junk (Houston), Harkless and perhaps Vonleh (plus a Leonard for salary ballast) or nothing but cap relief in a year or two (no trade).

 

Sure, Chris Paul is good, but he's not Martell Webster, Joel Freeland, Jarrett Jack good. #stillhopingthattradepansout

 

If Anthony were on a long-term deal, I'd probably agree. But he can either opt out next year or has his contract end in two years. In that time, they're capped out anyway, so they probably wouldn't be too damaged by his presence. I like the idea of Houston fans forever thinking Portland screwed them out of a title shot.

 

Knicks want young players. Harkless is young with upside on both sides of the court. He would be the centerpiece of the deal.

 

Exactly.

 

He's been watching SL, reading the tea leaves. Perhaps he's headed to Europe where he can be a "star".

 

I hope you're right, but I can't imagine the Knicks would be so desperate. Harkless is okay, but nothing special.

 

The thing is, it doesn't really matter because the first obstacle is getting Melo to waive his "no trade clause" to come here. Nothing can happen until he adds Portland to his list of destinations.

 

Which we wouldnt hear unless the deal was already done I suspect

 

This was before Melo even asked to be traded.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/dailyk...cks-maurice-harkless-makes-a-perfect-fit/amp/

 

Hey. The guys at clutchfans have resorted to posting pictures of me since they can't handle my arguments.