The drama has been at a feverish peak the past few weeks as the Knicks annual implosion (losers of 15 of their last 20 games) has led to almost daily articles debating whether the Knicks are trying or should try to trade Carmelo Anthony and whether Anthony would waive his no-trade clause in order for a potential trade to go through.
The reality of the situation is the Knicks absolutely should be trying to trade Carmelo while he still has some value at the age of 32 and embrace a rebuild around the future of their franchise which is Kristaps Porzingis. I have a scenario in which Carmelo would be stubborn, let’s be honest foolish, to not waive a no-trade clause: a trade to the Boston Celtics.
Carmelo should be introspective enough to realize at this point in his career that he is an elite, but inefficient scorer, or a volume shooter as many have termed it, a good rebounder, an acceptable when willing (which isn’t often) passer, and a far below average defender. That just doesn’t equate to being the best player on a championship caliber team, or apparently even consistently playoff caliber team unless surrounded by the perfect supporting cast to utilize his strengths and maximize their effects and hide all of his deficiencies.
The Celtics are the one realistic franchise that has just the right roster composition, trade-able pieces and need and desire for another elite scorer in order to become more of a legitimate championship contender.
Boston is chalk full of assets and a mix of young talent with very valuable role players in or entering their prime. Elite defenders who are high IQ players and catch-and-shoot guys such as Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder and Al Horford are perfect to surround Carmelo Anthony and mask his defensive liability. They would provide plenty of shooting around him to maximize his space to operate while providing plenty of open opportunities. The fit between Thomas and Carmelo Anthony could be interesting and would absolutely require two of the three person combo of Crowder, Bradley and Smart to be on the floor at all times to mask having two negative defenders on the floor.
Carmelo would have to blend in with the style of the team of course and allow Thomas to continue to run the show effectively as he has been during what is easily the best season of his career thus far.
Although it would shake things up, acquiring Melo could actually make the Celtics a viable contender to the Cavaliers in the postseason, which is something they currently aren’t.
In order to entice the Knicks though, the Celtics would have to give up their most prized asset of all, Brooklyn’s unprotected first round draft pick this season.
The Celtics want to contend now and the best way to utilize their assets to contend sooner is to cash their biggest one to acquire a veteran star instead of waiting a few years for their high pick to hopefully develop into that kind of player.
Here is a potential deal that could work money wise and allow the Knicks to deal Melo and acquire what more than likely will be a top 3 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft:
This would allow the Knicks to clear a good deal of space with two acquiring contracts and have plenty of money for free agency the next few years. They also would be able to draft a potential young star to compliment Kristaps Porzingis and their own first round pick in the 2017 draft, which will more than likely be in the lottery as the team bottoms out a little more after losing Carmelo.
The Celtics meanwhile give little in the way of current talent on their team outside of some rotational front court players and use their trade chip to acquire a star who can help them contend today.
The likelihood of this actually happening seems slim, but this could be the perfect trade for both the Knicks and Celtics.
