By @TrueGodImmortal
I won't take up too much of your time here, but I will definitely say one thing straight to the point: Carmelo Anthony is making things harder for himself and blocking his path out of New York. It's obvious as well. The Houston Rockets lack the assets to trade for him, and the Knicks have made it clear they want to get as much value as possible for him. The Rockets don't have players that are truly wanted by the Knicks to make this trade make sense, so perhaps it's time for Carmelo to see about other options if he wants out of New York. The question is, which options work the best for him? Which options make the most sense? Let's take a look at the best options to consider.
*Cleveland Cavaliers
-This was one of his preferred spots to end up at, yet somehow he's changed his tune. If the thought process is that Melo wants to compete for a championship, then Cleveland is his best bet and his sure shot. Playing next to one of his best friends LeBron James has to be lucrative and Kevin Love, Derrick Rose, J.R. Smith, and Tristan Thompson all will be solid teammates for Melo. The Cavs are the favorite in the East again and if you can make the trade for Kyrie to bring him to New York in exchange for Melo, in some way, everybody wins. This is the option that makes the most sense.
-This was one of his preferred spots to end up at, yet somehow he's changed his tune. If the thought process is that Melo wants to compete for a championship, then Cleveland is his best bet and his sure shot. Playing next to one of his best friends LeBron James has to be lucrative and Kevin Love, Derrick Rose, J.R. Smith, and Tristan Thompson all will be solid teammates for Melo. The Cavs are the favorite in the East again and if you can make the trade for Kyrie to bring him to New York in exchange for Melo, in some way, everybody wins. This is the option that makes the most sense.
*Boston Celtics
-A one year rental of Melo for a draft pick and maybe Jae Crowder or Terry Rozier (don't let Danny Ainge hear that). Melo would fit very well into this system next to Isaiah Thomas and the newly acquired Gordon Hayward alongside the developing Jaylen Brown and the rookie Jayson Tatum would be a huge contender to compete against any team in the East. It would also keep Melo in the Eastern Conference, which has easier competition.
-A one year rental of Melo for a draft pick and maybe Jae Crowder or Terry Rozier (don't let Danny Ainge hear that). Melo would fit very well into this system next to Isaiah Thomas and the newly acquired Gordon Hayward alongside the developing Jaylen Brown and the rookie Jayson Tatum would be a huge contender to compete against any team in the East. It would also keep Melo in the Eastern Conference, which has easier competition.
*Los Angeles Lakers
-In reality, this would be the best option for him in the West right now. The Lakers don't have a solidified option at the 3, and they don't have a consistent scorer. Perhaps there is an asset that the Lakers could give up alongside Jordan Clarkson to pull off a Knicks trade? It's not likely, but Melo as a leader working with KCP, Lonzo Ball, Julius Randle, and Brandon Ingram would be the most ideal situation for a 15 year vet who isn't the most defensively sound. Maybe next year in free agency.
-In reality, this would be the best option for him in the West right now. The Lakers don't have a solidified option at the 3, and they don't have a consistent scorer. Perhaps there is an asset that the Lakers could give up alongside Jordan Clarkson to pull off a Knicks trade? It's not likely, but Melo as a leader working with KCP, Lonzo Ball, Julius Randle, and Brandon Ingram would be the most ideal situation for a 15 year vet who isn't the most defensively sound. Maybe next year in free agency.
*Portland Trailblazers
-This is highly unlikely. However, I could see Melo working well next to Dame and CJ. Still, the trade wouldn't make much sense unless we saw a Nurkic and one other player traded for a one year rental of Melo. Still, a big 3 of Melo, Dame, and CJ is offensively dangerous. Imagine having to guard all three of these guys on the same team.
-This is highly unlikely. However, I could see Melo working well next to Dame and CJ. Still, the trade wouldn't make much sense unless we saw a Nurkic and one other player traded for a one year rental of Melo. Still, a big 3 of Melo, Dame, and CJ is offensively dangerous. Imagine having to guard all three of these guys on the same team.
*Oklahoma City Thunder
-An unlikely trade but one that could be interesting if it meant Russ, Paul George and Melo played together. Would they mesh well? Maybe. Maybe not. Regardless, this is a great destination for him and an actual chance for him to be on a contender again. It'll be interesting to see how this all plays out, but I would enjoy seeing Melo play in a Big 3 for the Thunder.
-An unlikely trade but one that could be interesting if it meant Russ, Paul George and Melo played together. Would they mesh well? Maybe. Maybe not. Regardless, this is a great destination for him and an actual chance for him to be on a contender again. It'll be interesting to see how this all plays out, but I would enjoy seeing Melo play in a Big 3 for the Thunder.
Where does Melo end up? Only time will tell. If he's smart, he will waive the clause for the Cavs trade and get ready for his first ever trip to the NBA Finals. Otherwise, he's going to be disappointed with the outcome. I guess we have to wait and see where Melo ends up. Maybe he stays in New York. Time will tell.
-True
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