Do you really believe what you just said? Why do you think the Nuggets would rather have Gallinari Curry and a 2nd rounder than 6 more months of his play? Felton even if he were to continue playing at the level he is playing now is still not a top 10 pg and would be borderline top 15 and you would rather have him then Paul, even with the injury concerns? And for what its worth, Paul had a similar surgery to Roy's a couple years ago, so when/if his knee worsens, I don't think microfracture is the solution.
Yes, from a Knicks perspective why give away assets when its clear that Melo wants to come to NY. Gallinari is a very nice player who is a better trade piece than what the Nuggets will receive in a trade from a Melo rental to say NJ. Curry is a fat tub of goo but he does present $ savings. Prior to the season the Pacers offered a 1st rd pick for Randolph who is still on rookie deal and is only 21 years old recieving a 1st rd pick for him doesnt seem like a stretch. Also it doesnt look like Azubuike will play this season so including him into a deal for Melo would allow Nuggets more money (3 mil from insurance). I realize from a fan perspective money savings doesnt matter but for owners its a pressing concern. Nuggets are receiving pennies on the dollar but its better than nothing. I got the CP3 microfracture tidbit from a Hornets messageboard perhaps it is overstated but a concern nonetheless.
Paul's knee is definitely an issue, but its very well could be a different, and more serious, issue from what you are hearing. From what I understand, if Paul's knee continues to degrade similar to Roy's (they had a similar procedure to remove the meniscus - I think Roy had the entire thing removed and Paul only had a portion) there is no fix. Roy's knee is bone on bone contact and microfracture surgery won't have much if any effect.You keep speaking from the Knicks prospective, of course they would rather give up as little as possible for Melo. The issue is I highly doubt the Nuggets would want the trash you are trying to throw their way. I will guarantee that there is another team, if the Nuggets were to go this route, that would offer more than Gallinari + expiring for a February to June rental. Just to throw out a couple, how about the Hornets send Okafor, Thorton and a 1st, or how about the Rockets send Hill, Brooks and a 1st or Lakers send Bynum and Brown or Atlanta sends Josh Smith or NJ sends Troy Murphy, T Williams and Morrow. There will be a far better offer than Gallinari. And on the money issue, what do you think will make a bigger impact on the Nuggets financials, saving 5 or 6 million dollars in a Melo trade and getting Gallinari and filler while showing you are raising the white flag, or holding on to Melo while giving your fans the impression that they are trying to make things work and trying to win a championship while probably getting knocked off in the 1st or 2nd round of the playoffs?
I'm willing to guess that the possible 6 million dollar saving will be more than offset by having fans coming to the games from Feb to June and getting an every round or two or maybe even three of playoff money. Plus, in the future (next season) fans will be more willing to watch a crappy team that wasn't perceived as waiving the white flag and giving up on the franchise's best player in history than a crappy team that did it to themselves.
The Cavs have the 2nd highest attendance this year, if they traded Lebron for somebody like Gallinari mid season last year how many fewer people would be showing up for games? I would say at least 5,000.
Holy #### this is gold.
Jason F'ing Kidd (and an FU honorable mention to Mr. Lima)
