15-player deal coming?

[Nikolokolus]

In a bizarro way flipping Harris to us for Miller will help the Nuggets out in the long term from a salary perspective, but I just can't see them swallowing the idea of helping out a division rival. I'll frankly be shocked if we get him.

I really don't think there's some emotional investment in GMs to "not help a division rival." I think they're largely focused on their own fortunes. If they felt a deal would harm them by helping a division rival, that's one thing...but if Denver does this deal, they're ending their competitiveness for the short-term, so I doubt they much care about how good Portland is. What do they care whether Portland or Utah is on top when they're not in it? For that matter, what do they care whether Portland or LA or San Antonio (the latter two not divisional foes) are doing well, during a non-competitive cycle for them?

Maybe the division rival thing isn't a factor, but personalities and 'tone' definitely can have an impact on trades getting consummated.

Look no further than this: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-anthonytrade011011

Before resuming trade talks for Carmelo Anthony(notes) on Monday, the Denver Nuggets delivered a stern warning to the New Jersey Nets: Unless the public nature of these trade discussions becomes private, be warned that we will send Anthony to the New York Knicks.

Nothing else the Nuggets could’ve said would send such chills of unease through the Nets, and that’s why Denver made the threat, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

Would the Nuggets do such a thing out of spite? Would they take a lesser package out of vengeance? No one could be sure, but it sure delivered one more element of drama and intrigue to these trade talks.

It's not always about getting the best deal possible, sometimes pride is a factor with this small fraternity of GMs

 

[Sug]

It's not always about getting the best deal possible, sometimes pride is a factor with this small fraternity of GMs

Don't mess with the Russian mafia, because in Russia you trade negotiations rather than negotiate trades.

 

[maxiep]

This deal has been so public for so long it leads me to believe it's going to die.

 

[Ed O]

It's not always about getting the best deal possible, sometimes pride is a factor with this small fraternity of GMs

I find that hard to believe... there's no guarantee a person's going to STAY a GM, and the odds are long that a GM will stay employed by making inferior deals.

Ed O.

 

[Blazinaway]

This deal has been so public for so long it leads me to believe it's going to die.

If I'm NJ I tell Denver to fuk off and talk to me a few days before the deadline when the price they get will be much less. If NJ pulls out of bidding them Denver risks getting much less and perhaps nothing for Melo IMO. Makem sweat!

 

[B-Roy]

Denver's GM is unbelievably greedy. He's going to end up with nothing at this rate.

 

[hasoos]

Denver's GM is unbelievably greedy. He's going to end up with nothing at this rate.

Well the way it typically works is you keep on asking until they stop giving in.

 

[Draco]

If I'm NJ I tell Denver to fuk off and talk to me a few days before the deadline when the price they get will be much less. If NJ pulls out of bidding them Denver risks getting much less and perhaps nothing for Melo IMO. Makem sweat!

I don't understand why NJ is so intent on getting Melo at any cost. They are rumoured to give up Favors and Harris, possibly their top two assets, as well as multiple draft picks and losing future salary flexibility. Even if Melo is the best player in the deal it becomes a lateral move. How long until Melo decideds its not working in NJ and forces his way out?

Melo would be a great addition but Favors alone is plenty to give up. When Boston got Garnett the cost was an up and coming talent in Jefferson. They didn't have to also include a young all-star PG.

 

[MIXUM]

why? cause star players win in the nba. thats why the blazers never do.

 

[LittleAlex]

why? cause star players win in the nba. thats why the blazers never do.

Good teams that have star players win in the nba.
Bad teams with star players still get kicked around.

Melo is just not good enough to make the Nets a contender all by himself and that's pretty much what the Nets appear to be banking on.

Not a good bet.

 

[blazerfanatic]

Why doesnt Portland Do something Big. They have no Kahoonies!

 

[Minstrel]

It's not always about getting the best deal possible, sometimes pride is a factor with this small fraternity of GMs

I agree with that to some extent. If Cho or the Blazers' front office has a bad relationship with the current Nuggets' front office, that could place a chill on any negotiations. I just don't think the "won't trade with a division rival" thing is generally a major factor, especially when a team is executing a rebuild trade.

 

[Masbee]

I don't understand why NJ is so intent on getting Melo at any cost.

Because Melo is a top 5 talent in the NBA. When he is on, which is often, he is an unstoppable scorer.

But of much more importance to the team: He is a BIG NAME star player, he is from Brooklyn, where the team is building a new stadium that they need sell A LOT of very, very expensive seats to pay for. Without a big name draw they will have a hard time selling those seats.

They failed to sign any of the big free agents this last summer, and they are pretty desperate.

They are rumoured to give up Favors and Harris, possibly their top two assets,

Harris is not the best match for Carmelo and is hurt a lot; Favors is raw and needs development and Brook Lopez is probably their best asset.

as well as multiple draft picks and losing future salary flexibility. Even if Melo is the best player in the deal it becomes a lateral move. How long until Melo decideds its not working in NJ and forces his way out?

They will do their best to improve the team and make Melo and their other good players happy. Other than that, why should they think too far ahead. Some Blazer fans were fitting the team for rings after winning the lottery and dreaming about pairing up a dominant big with an All-Star guard who was a great closer. How did that long range planning work out? Best thing is not to out-think yourself.