NBA Trade Rumors: Why Knicks should shop Carmelo Anthony to Houston
By Matt Shetler
Jan 3, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) drives the ball during the fourth quarter as Houston Rockets small forward Chandler Parsons (25) defends at Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Knicks 102-100. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Earlier today I looked at one of the NBA Trade Rumors that had the New York Knicks looking at Houston Rockets center Omer Asik.
I didn’t like the proposed scenario that involved Asik and Jeremy Lin coming to the Knicks, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t consider any proposal that would include both of them.
The only way, if I were Knicks general manager Steve Mills, which I would consider a deal for Asik is if it came in the form of a blockbuster package that would send Carmelo Anthony to Houston.
In my proposed scenario, the Knicks would be sending Melo, Iman Shumpert and Beno Udrih to Houston in exchange for Asik, Lin, Chandler Parsons, Terrence Jones and a 2015 first round pick.
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=kuwstwy
It makes sense for the Knicks as they get a pair of youngsters to build around in the future in Parsons and Jones. Throw in rookie Tim Hardaway Jr. and the Knicks suddenly have three nice building blocks.
They also will still have cap room to add to the team in 2015.
As for Lin, he would slightly improve the point guard position in the short term and would come off the books after next season. The same goes for Asik, who would provide a solid short term answer in the front court.
After next season you see what you have with Lin and Asik and if you can sign them to team friendly deals then so be it.
However I would only be interested in the scenario if the Knicks show commitment to actually building for the future which would mean a Tyson Chandler deal must follow and subsequent deals for guys like Raymond Felton and J.R. Smith.
As for Houston, it is a little more complicated parting with good young players such as Jones and Parsons, but at the end of the day Melo gives the Rockets a legit “Big 3” that can contend for a championship.
Shumpert adds quality depth that can play the 2 or 3 and Udrih gives the Rockets a quality veteran backup point guard.
Houston needs a 4 that can stretch the floor and Anthony has been dominant in that role the past two seasons.
The Rockets are looking to move Asik and Lin anyway so there is no big loss there.
The one kicker is would Anthony be willing to re-sign with the Rockets as it isn’t necessarily the big market he wants to be in, as one NBA GM recently said that Anthony is “too Hollywood,” not to be in New York or Los Angeles.
But if Anthony is serious about his claims to want to win a championship, Houston could be the best fit for him at the trade deadline.
It may seem like a far-fetched scenario for both franchises, but it isn’t so far-fetched when you break it all down.
A third team may need to get involved so the Knicks could get an extra first round pick and in that scenario Houston may not have to part ways with both Parsons and Jones, but at the end of the day the framework is there for a blockbuster trade to happen that could actually benefit both teams.