per Simmons: " OKC and Carmelo are officially circling each other."

[coffee425]

https://twitter.com/BillSimmons/status/889512805254045696

Have a scoop - OKC and Carmelo are officially circling each other. OKC's Troy Weaver recruited Melo to Cuse + has known him since DMV days.

Start the speculation cycle up please. Served with a side of hot takes.

Is this a last ditch response to Russ not signing his extension?
Will anyone play defense on this new OKC team?
Who will play power forward between two players that hate playing power forward?

[hpantazo]

What can they give up to match salary?

[Sketch5]

What can they give up to match salary?

Kanter and McBuckets

[saltlover]

What can they give up to match salary?

Steven Adams works in a 1-for-1, otherwise some combo centered around Kanter.

[coffee425]

If i'm NYK, i'm asking for Kanter plus a 1st rounder

[green_bballers13]

https://twitter.com/BillSimmons/status/889512805254045696

Have a scoop - OKC and Carmelo are officially circling each other. OKC's Troy Weaver recruited Melo to Cuse + has known him since DMV days.

Start the speculation cycle up please. Served with a side of hot takes.

Is this a last ditch response to Russ not signing his extension?
Will anyone play defense on this new OKC team?
Who will play power forward between two players that hate playing power forward?

Roberson and Adams are really good defenders.

Is PG13 a terrible defender? I'm not sure....

[hpantazo]

What can they give up to match salary?

Steven Adams works in a 1-for-1, otherwise some combo centered around Kanter.

That's fair value for Melo at this point.

[RJ87]

https://twitter.com/BillSimmons/status/889512805254045696

Have a scoop - OKC and Carmelo are officially circling each other. OKC's Troy Weaver recruited Melo to Cuse + has known him since DMV days.

Start the speculation cycle up please. Served with a side of hot takes.

Is this a last ditch response to Russ not signing his extension?
Will anyone play defense on this new OKC team?
Who will play power forward between two players that hate playing power forward?

Roberson and Adams are really good defenders.

Is PG13 a terrible defender? I'm not sure....

PG13 is an elite defender - when he's locked in. Patrick Paterson is also above average in that area. OKC was a top 10 defensive team last year, think they'll be an even better defensive team this year.

[Tr1boy]

If im the Knicks I want

Kanter, Huestas, Ferguson back

Then flip Kanter for draft picks at the trade deadline

Do a clean rebuild.

[Moranis]

Kanter, Adams, and Singler for Anthony and Noah.  By taking on Noah, the Thunder don't have to give up any draft picks or young players and the Knicks get to unload Noah (I included Singler as a salary dump though the trade works without him).  Plus, if the Thunder are trading Adams, then Noah makes some sense (even knowing you likely only get 50% of the season from him).  The Knicks get a nice young center in Adams to pair with the Zinger, dump Noah, and then still have Kanter as a potential trade chip. 

[bogg]

Makes sense. Kanter's contract is a year shorter than Anderson's, so his contract is easier to include in various three-team scenarios, and the Rockets are relatively stripped of assets so OKC should be able to pretty easily match whatever Houston's offering otherwise. Can't see a scenario where OKC puts Steven Adams on the table though, at this point an Adams/Carmelo 1-for-1 is an overpay on OKC's side and leaves them with a big hole in the middle on defense. OKC is something I could see getting done if Carmelo okays it.

[jambr380]

Man, Steven Adams is making like $100M over the next 4 years. I know he is a good player, but that is a lot of money for a role player. If OKC is having any doubts about that contract, now may be a good time to trade him.

Kanter is really only signed for two more years (player option for 18-19) at about $36.5M total. If I am OKC, I think I try to hold on to him and deal Adams. The defense up front definitely takes a hit, but Roberson, PG, and even Westbrook have the ability to turn it on if they want to.

I am just hoping another team actually has to trade for Carmelo and he doesn't just get bought out and sign with the Cavs for the minimum.

[coffee425]

Man, Steven Adams is making like $100M over the next 4 years. I know he is a good player, but that is a lot of money for a role player. If OKC is having any doubts about that contract, now may be a good time to trade him.

I would argue that Steven Adams has the same value to the team as Al Horford. And ppl around the league don't think Al's overpaid.
Steven provides rim protection, finishing, and good overall defense, while improving his FT%. What more do you want out of a modern 7-footer?

[TheSundanceKid]

This would actually make a lot of sense for both sides. OKC go all in on keeping PG and Westbrook, if they leave you aren't saddled with long contracts. Knicks get the opportunity to get decent pieces back.

I think a third team might get involved as well. If it's Kanter that is heading out then I could see Milwaukee being interested. Ship Monroe to the Knicks for a younger replacement on a year longer deal.

OKC: Melo
Knicks: Monroe, McDermott, Hawes, lotto protected Mil 18 1st
Milwaukee: Kanter, Singler

Milwaukee almost get out of the luxury tax in this deal as well. They do if you switch Singler and McDermott, I thought they would like the long term cheap contract of Singler given their roster. Depends on priorities.
Knicks get a bunch of one year deals, clear some cap space for next summer and start a proper rebuild. Or they roll with Monroe and Zinger in the front court.
OKC don't even have to give up a pick. Smashing

[celticsclay]

I would like to see Carmelo there. I am scared if the Cavs lose Kyrie they could actually use Carmelo at that point. Hope he goes to Houston or OKC.