lukethedrifter wrote:But does Melo really help them with that scenario?
If Melo gets bought out by OKC so they can avoid a nine-figure tax bill then he's probably available pretty cheap to play with his buddy and Harden and chase that glory he hasn't tasted since 'Cuse, and HOU is only at $80MM in payroll now so they would not sign Melo and be done.
If you want to shoot a high volume and you can get Melo to take a role like he did in OKC where he's a guy trailing and shooting spot-up jumpers (just shooting more of them and with better looks than he got in OKC) then I think he helps.
Melo shot 40% from the field last year. He's a ball-stopper who is horrible defensively. Literally, his ONLY value is in scoring the basketball, and if he can't do that efficiently (which is quite possible), then he's a liability.
Very true, but I still think the Rockets are playing variance basketball and a hot or just-over-room-temp Melo in a 7-game series, who you get on a salary freeroll because he's already paid from being bought out, is a better option than 97% of what's out there.
Raptors needed to shake it up a bit, it was getting stale. Even if Kawhi bolts after a year (provided they don't flip him at the deadline for picks/expiring money) they get a lot of money back that would have gone to DeRozan, which they could use to sign someone better than DeRozan, IMO an overrated one-note player.
I often applaud my millennial brethren in the league when they get selfish and stick it to the league's ruling class to fight for their personal happiness. LeBron, KD, Kyrie, etc. Do what makes you happy.
That said, walking away from his bird rights, texas not having state income tax, and canada's higher tax burden means he's leaving like $40 mil on the table. He hasn't handled this well. You have to do a better job maneuvering and timing your leverage like Kyrie did. Otherwise you leave a city where you're unhappy to go to another city where you'll be unhappy AND you'll lose a fortune in the process. Screw Uncle Dennis.
thrill wrote:I often applaud my millennial brethren in the league when they get selfish and stick it to the league's ruling class to fight for their personal happiness. LeBron, KD, Kyrie, etc. Do what makes you happy.
That said, walking away from his bird rights, texas not having state income tax, and canada's higher tax burden means he's leaving like $40 mil on the table. He hasn't handled this well. You have to do a better job maneuvering and timing your leverage like Kyrie did. Otherwise you leave a city where you're unhappy to go to another city where you'll be unhappy AND you'll lose a fortune in the process. Screw Uncle Dennis.
Think I pretty much agree with this. I usually side with the players on these things but can't help but laugh a little at him trying to force his way to LA and getting exiled to Toronto instead.