New Knicks president of basketball operations Steve Mills wasn’t in attendance at Tim Hardaway‘s introductory press conference earlier this month, but he spoke to reporters at a presser today, and Carmelo Anthony was a popular topic of discussion. While Mills didn’t drop any bombshells regarding Anthony’s status, he did confirm that the Knicks have talked to teams about a trade and would like to find an outcome that works for everyone (Twitter link via Ian Begley of ESPN.com).
Still, if a viable trade scenario doesn’t present itself, the Knicks don’t sound like they’re ready to move on from Anthony at any cost. Mills said today that the club will not pursue a buyout with the veteran forward (Twitter link via Begley). Anthony “could easily be part of our team next year,” according to Mills (Twitter link via Brian Mahoney of The Associated Press).
As the Knicks continue to weigh their options with Carmelo, here’s more from around the Atlantic:
- Mills also confirmed at today’s press conference that he’s going to give new Knicks GM Scott Perry “room to make basketball decisions” (Twitter link via Begley). Per Mills, he and Perry will be “partners” in decision-making.
- The Raptors haven’t had much luck in their efforts to trade Jonas Valanciunas, as Sean Deveney of The Sporting News details. According to Deveney, discussions with the Kings, Suns, Hornets, Trail Blazers, Hawks, and others “did not get very far.” Now that they’ve dumped some salary by moving DeMarre Carroll and Cory Joseph, it’s not clear if the Raptors are still attempting to move Valanciunas.
- It doesn’t appear that any additional roster moves are imminent for the Celtics, but don’t be surprised if the team makes some changes later in the year, writes Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald in a round-up of a few Celtics-related notes.
Hypothetically, if Denver didn’t make the Nurkic trade at the deadline, and y’all became the gm of the Celtics after moving down from #1 to #3, would you accept a trade from Denver for Nurkic, #13, and #20 for #3?
I probably wouldn’t accept the trade but I thought it was an interesting idea hence I wanted to see what others thought
I feel like they wanted Jayson Tatum or Josh Jackson, at least a top 4 pick and if Nurkic never was traded to Portland, his trade value wouldn’t be as high as it is now since he balled out for the Blazers. Not sure the Celtics would offer that trade, but if Nuggets came to them with the trade I think the Celtics would have to at least consider it; they would be a scary team with Nurkic.
Considering his value at the time, I would believe no. Before he was traded he was a rotation player getting 18 minutes a game. He blossomed in Portland to be a legitimate contributor. One has to imagine his stats rest of year in Denver would have remained consistent with his pre-trade stats since Jokic is a beast and they weren’t an ideal pair on the floor at the same time. A backup rotational center, 13, and 20 for 3 is not good value. Also, Boston is loaded with young players, it would not make sense for them from a roster construction stand point to add two more rookies that would barely crack the rotation.
Knicks need Melo
The Knicks need a lot of things. Melo staying would be ideal if A) they want to build his value and trade him around deadline B) they want to try and make a playoff run in the east. The east is weaker than it was last year, but teams such as: Boston, Cleveland, Toronto, Milwaukee, and Detroit will most definitely be better than the Knicks current roster. Only way the Knicks make a deep legitimate playoff run is by adding a pass first defensive minded veteran pg.
Now I’ve been vocal about wanting Melo to stay but if the Knicks can get a decent package for Melo without taking on long term salaries of aged players then yea trade him. If not, hold onto him and wait and see. By the looks of what I’ve been reading, waiting and seeing is the current plan.
Oh I forgot to say, BRING IN A DEFENSIVE MINDED Assistant Coach and player developers. Mark Jackson is available.
Could that pass-1st/defensive pg have been Ricky Rubio?
This is the problem ppl think if we can somehow sneak into the 8th seed it’s a successful season. Also if the Knicks wanted to make a push for the playoffs they wouldn’t have sat around for the weekend you’re free agency they would have moved melo and went after a guy like George Hill
knicks dont need Melo…they need to tank …somehow get rid of Noah ,Lee and Melo….draft Michael Porter jr….get the young kids as much time on the court together as possible…try something the Knicks have refused to do since forever…Embrace a true youth movement…run and gun and play D ….
Mark Jackson could be the right fit to coach the Knicks.