How disappointed should DC fans be...

by Stray Bullet on Sep 21, 2010 4:53 AM EDT

after Carmelo Anthony is traded to the New Jersey Nets??

Obviously the topic of trying to acquire Carmelo Anthony has been discussed here. When first reported that Denver was considering a trade - a slim majority (56% of 182 BF poll voters) agreed "to do whatever it takes (excluding John Wall)" to get Carmelo Anthony.

Soon after, it was reported (Michael Lee) that DC "made an obligatory call to the Denver Nuggets to check on the availability of all-star forward Carmelo Anthony. The league source added that the Wizards were simply doing their due diligence and that the same phone call was made by "29 teams. Carmelo is pretty good."

The realistic likelihood of DC trading for Carmelo Anthony was dismissed as a "Pipe Dream" and it was pointed out (Mike Prada) that it is not feasible with our assets (players, recent/future draft picks, expiring contracts) to "have the right combination of contracts to make salaries work unless Denver takes on Hinrich, which is almost certainly not happening."

However, how disappointed should DC basketball fans be after the addition of Carmelo Anthony will immediately place the lowly, last-place New Jersey Nets firmly in the playoff conversation??

(Off Topic: How disappointed should Redskins fans be if Vincent Jackson gets traded to the Vikings??)

Poll

How disappointed should DC basketball fans be if the New Jersey Nets get Carmelo Anthony??

Very!! Our front office needs to "think outside the box -- sitting back and praying young players are going to develop is a long shot!" (Killa_Kev)

20 votes

Moderate.. The New (Russian Owner/GM/Coach-Having) Jersey Nets have "Pat Riley-ed" themselves to have the best package to offer Denver

20 votes

Low to Moderate - Our front office did its "due diligence"

53 votes

No Worries!! Na na na na - Na na na na - JOHN WALL!!

61 votes

154 votes | Poll has closed

This represents the view of the user who wrote the FanPost, and not the entire Bullets Forever community. We're a place of many opinions, not just one.

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Hate to do this

But you have to put in links to the articles you are citing.

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by Mike Prada on Sep 21, 2010 8:30 AM EDT reply actions

STOP THE MADNESS!!!

I keep hearing fans complain about this team and what they have done this summer. Fans are so impatient and fickle. First let me explain, this team has a vision to build through the draft and acquiring young players. If they didn’t go after Lebron, then what made you believe they would go after Lebron?

It’s simple, there is not one single player this team could have gotten that would guarantee a championship anytime soon. This team has a lot of question marks and it is hard to tell if the pieces are there or if they need to add more players. When you sign players to long term deals on teams that have this many question marks, you settle for mediocrity. Granted Melo is a great player, but to get him you would have to erase an entire summer worth of work, and you would completely change the philosophy of this team. Does that mean we are not trying to get better? No, it just means this team is taking a different approach then…Miami. Right now this team doesn’t have an identity, a style, or even know who will be their franchise player (Wall has to still prove himself). When you don’t know those things, then getting a player like Melo won’t correct most of those issues. You have to have a bit of patience especially when you have young talent. It is so easy to say players aren’t worth the time, but think about some of the greats in this league. Kobe started off as a Sixth Man, Durant had a very so-so rookie year (horrible FG%), and Dwight Howard was a frail big man who barely averaged a double-double. Those guys didn’t become great until years later. That’s why we must wait. Who’s to say that we don’t have one of those players. If we do and some of the young players like Wall and Blatche play great in the next 2 years then you can add pieces here and there, and then you have a strong team you can build on for years to come rather than bring a player in his prime to a team that is not ready to win now!

by ThePGPhenomenon on Sep 21, 2010 10:09 AM EDT reply actions

Not to mention

that all trade talks about him are pure speculation at this point (9/21/10 11am EDT).

by MR on Sep 21, 2010 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

First of all..

Every NBA team (unless your GM is Isaiah Thomas) has a vision to build through the draft. But it is obvious that the “luck of the ping pong ball bounce” can often make or break a franchise (The selection of Tim Duncan elevated San Antonio, and simultaneously put Boston in a free-fall).

However, it is apparent that times have changed and today’s GMs, especially for large market teams, have a realistic opportunity to lure away all-stars in their primes. And even as the exciting “John Wall Era” begins, it is important for the Front Office to recognize the changing landscape of the NBA and plan accordingly.

by Stray Bullet on Sep 21, 2010 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Every NBA team (unless your GM is Isaiah Thomas) has a vision to build through the draft

Not necessarily true. There is a distinct difference between what Miami did in the draft and what the Wizards did in the draft. Miami drafted to compliment the players that they have, the Wizards drafted to build a foundation. Of course every team drafts or at least has the option to, but that doesn’t mean they use the same way. And yes there maybe luck in building a team through the draft but it takes a smart and savvy front office as well. A good front office could be the difference between drafting Sam Bowie and Michael Jordan, so draft position isn’t always the big factor.

There maybe teams that have ambitions to get big free agents but

a) the Wizards aren’t one of those teams that players seek out. Looking at the history of free agency, when was the last time the Wizards were able to lure a big free agent besides Gilbert Arenas, who wasn’t even considered to be a top-tier player at that time. It is just not realistic to expect this team to get big free agents. Teams took that risk this summer and look at all the teams that came up empty (New Jersey, Los Angeles Clippers, and even New York Knicks and Chicago to some extent). Doing that is a risk as well, so either way you’re not guaranteed to get anything.

b) who says that is the way to go? Where has that been proven to work? The Celtics are a rare team of big stars that were able to work, but that is because those guys were able to put their egos aside for the good of the team. The Miami Heat haven’t played a game yet, so who’s to say that it will work for them.

I think different teams have different philosophies, but you have to be realistic about what you can do. Oklahoma City is just not going to attract big free agents like Wade, James or Bosh so should they hold their hopes in trying to lure them? Doesn’t make sense.

by ThePGPhenomenon on Sep 21, 2010 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions

The point is..

that it used to seem that only veteran players (past their prime) and role players could be added as complimentary players to make a run at a championship. But NOW large market (Oklahoma City does not make this list) teams (that will pay luxury taxes) can get “frustrated” young all-stars to leave their current teams to go to a team that shows dedication to winning championships.

For this reason, it is important that our front office show this dedication to winning, maintain roster flexibility, and improve the team culture to become a possible destination to these disgruntled, young all-stars in the future.

by Stray Bullet on Sep 21, 2010 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions

You don’t think drafting John Wall and developing young players does that?

by ThePGPhenomenon on Sep 21, 2010 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn't be disapointed at all

It’s not the right move for us right now even if it was feasible.

by BayAreaBullet on Sep 21, 2010 11:27 AM EDT reply actions

Agreed

We don’t have any expirers and we kind of need McGee and Wall.

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by pantslessyoda1 on Sep 21, 2010 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions

The timing wasn't right

I like Melo more than most, but like I wrote here, there are too many unknowns to plug a big salary in there like that. In a year, we might be ready, but until then, we need to figure out which players constitute our core, what our style is going to be, who is untouchable and who isn’t, etc. I’ll let Melo go elsewhere to figure all that out.

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by Mike Prada on Sep 21, 2010 7:45 PM EDT reply actions

Denver is listening to all offers..

and I am sure that GMs around the league are throwing $&*% against the wall to see if anything will stick… From our front office’s perspective, what should/could be thrown against the wall??

What trade scenarios would at least merit consideration by Denver??

Would Denver at least have to consider if: A. Blatche is a better prospect/player than D. Favors and possibly be convinced that Hinrich could be an asset before becoming an expiring contract the following year.

Would trading Hinrich, Blatche, Jianlian, and Booker for Carmelo Anthony (assuming he signs a MAX extension) merit consideration by both DC and Denver??

by Stray Bullet on Sep 21, 2010 9:09 PM EDT reply actions

No and no

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by Mike Prada on Sep 21, 2010 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Certainly not by Denver

They would never seriously consider a trade of Carmello Anthony for Hinrich, Blatche, Yi and Booker….. even if the Wiz threw in a draft choice…

NO – the Nuggets will get far better offers from other teams.

For instance – The Knicks (high on Carmello’s list of teams he wants to play for) – can offer Curry’s massive expiring contract, and a combination of very good young players (Wilson Chandler, Kelenna Azubuike, Toney Douglas, Danilo Gallinari, Anthony Randolph, Bill Walker, etc…)…

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by Rook6980 on Sep 23, 2010 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions

He's not worth what they'll ask

Nor is he a max-contract player. Nor is the circus he’s created worth it. His value is overblown simply because he’s available IMHO.

by GoForthAndDie on Sep 22, 2010 11:39 AM EDT reply actions

The only way we land Melo

Is if Melo makes it to the trade deadline in a Denver uniform and still won’t commit to re-signing, even though the Nuggets are contending for the best record in the West. In addition, our older vets have to play out of their minds.

In that extremely unlikely scenario, Denver might decide be willing to take on Gil and Josh in exchange for Melo and some young Nuggets talent.

Denver takes a final crack at a title. Josh Howard gives them a borderline All-Star to fill in some of Denver’s gaping hole at SF. Gil replaces the scoring.

We get rid of Arenas’ contract and pick up some young talent. Ty Lawson backing up John Wall? Speed on top of speed.

Now, the really, really, really tricky part is that Gil needs to be a good enough teammate that it doesn’t sour Denver on him, but he needs to be just enough of a disruption that we’re happy to trade him (and his contract) away for Melo, even without a guarantee that Melo will re-sign with us.

Don’t hold your breath.

by yop32 on Sep 22, 2010 12:27 PM EDT reply actions

You're pushing a scenario in which Denver makes a push for contention WITHOUT Carmelo?

by MR on Sep 22, 2010 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Crazy, right?

Just about as crazy as a team trading away two guys playing at All-Star level in exchange for a backup PG and what could turn out to be just a two or three month rental of Carmelo.