Atlanta Hawks: Hawks caught in ‘Melo drama
As far as I can tell, the speculation connecting Carmelo Anthony to the Hawks is based solely on a line from Alan Hahn’s story in Newsday (H/T to Hawksquawk.net for the link):
“Other teams, such as the Trail Blazers and Hawks, have been in touch in preliminary terms, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.”
Rick Sund didn’t want to comment on the item yesterday. But knowing how he operates, “preliminary terms” means the Hawks reached out to the Nuggets to see what they are thinking regarding Melo. Sund always stresses that teams constantly make such calls to see if there are deals that make sense but that it doesn’t mean anything will get done or that it ever reaches the level of negotiations.
Once such talks reach the public domain, though, folks get in a frenzy. Before you run too far with Melo and the Hawks, first thing’s first: In an interview with Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post, Melo didn’t include Atlanta on the list of cities where he’d be willing to sign an extension:
I Asked: Are the options strictly New Jersey, New York, Chicago, Denver?
Melo said, “Yeah. But I really can’t say it’s just those, because I don’t really know (what could happen).”
This, of course, is in reference to the reality that Denver could trade Melo to a team he doesn’t want to play for long-term. If that happens, then he might not sign the three-year, $65 million contract extension to play for that team. Instead, he’d opt out of his current contract and be a free agent this summer, likely signing with the Knicks. But – he would take a significant pay cut, due to the new collective bargaining agreement.
Furthermore, the Hawks don’t have the kind of assets the Nets were offering the Nuggets for Melo.. I also doubt the Hawks would be willing to give up a part of their proverbial “core” for a short-term rental of Melo since they still don’t know what this group can do (and such a swap could significantly weaken the Hawks in other areas even as they add Melo). I do think ASG might be willing to pay the luxury tax for Melo because, if you recall, in those comments that got Michael Gearon Jr. fined by the league, he said there are only a few players worth the tax in this market because of the revenues they’d bring in. Melo might–emphasis on might–be a guy who could do that here.
Of course this whole Melo saga could end (it will end, won’t it?) with him signing Denver’s extension offer or rolling the dice and becoming a free agent despite the CBA uncertainty.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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130 comments Add your comment
dukester
January 26th, 2011
3:13 pm
with out tattoes
James
January 26th, 2011
3:13 pm
Denver gets: Mike Bibby & Joe Johnson
Atlanta gets: Chauncey Billups & Carmelo Anthony
That sounds like a good deal to me. I think Melo would sign a extension to stay in Atlanta since his wife Lala has roots in Atlanta she has alot of friends in Atlanta his family will be comfortable in Atlanta which will make him want to stay.
Dikembe Mutombo
January 26th, 2011
3:16 pm
Shakes my finger ..Atlanta will never be winners the south is Football country
terrell
January 26th, 2011
3:19 pm
“Weaken us in other areas”? Other areas like what? We havent had a legit sf in years. Forget the other areas. As long as we dont give up JJ or Al, there’s no way you can tell me Melo want HELP this team. No Way! Bibby/JJ/Melo/Al/Collins is better than what were putting out there right now. Not even close. Give em Josh/Jamal/two 1sts if AT ALL possible. It’s not like we’re going anywhere with the “core” this year anyway. Or next year. Or the year after that. Or the year after that. Or the year after that. And even if he’s a rental, think about all the cap space we’d have to upgrade the center(Nene, Chandler, Perkins, Prizbilla), and pg(Brooks, Parker, Conley, Barea) positions. Then we can replace Melo for a cheap T-Mac. lol!
northcyde
January 26th, 2011
3:21 pm
@ 303
You add Melo to the Hawks, without giving up the “core”, we become VERY DANGEROUS. People wouldn’t make us the favorite in the East ( simply out of hate ). But no way could people overlook us.
That trade I listed works, by the way. That’s a pipe dream type of trade though. But if all they wanted was expiring contracts, and a few pieces of young talent, we could definitely give them that.
I know one thing. That team may still not be able to beat Boston in a playoff series, but they could take out Orlando, Miami, and Chicago in a series.
Melo wouldn’t have to look to average 25 ppg here. He could be sold on playing the balanced attack that Orlando, Boston, and San Antonio comes at people with.
I like my chances with that team . . A LOT.
terrell
January 26th, 2011
3:22 pm
Still dont understand why some people get upset with fantasy trade scenarios or whatever??? It’s a freakin blog for crying out loud.
terrell
January 26th, 2011
3:23 pm
Enter your comments here
Ken Strickland
January 26th, 2011
3:26 pm
The only way the Hawks would get involved with any trade involving Carmelo Anthony would be as a 3rd party for facilator to make the deal go through. We would probably be willing to send an expiring contract(Jamal or MEvans), and/or a draft pick(s), and/or a player(Bibby or Teague)for someone like PG DHarris.
Upgrading our PG position with DHarris would provide much better improvement than upgrading the SF position with CAnthony. CAnthony would give us more of what we already have, and that’s scoring, while DHarris could provide us with scoring, assists, size, versatility, penetrating ability, and better perimeter DEF.
slimjr
January 26th, 2011
3:28 pm
He ain’t coming to the Hawks.Why would he??????Heck even the freaking Nets played in two Championships in the recent past.Your Atlanta Hawks NEVER HAVE………………………………………DUH…………………………………………
Sund=fail
Larry
January 26th, 2011
3:29 pm
“Sorry larry we wouldnt have a NBA if we got rid of tattooed players”
:-O!! ROTLLMAO!!!
slimjr
January 26th, 2011
3:29 pm
Devin Harris for President yesterday!!!! Devin, Devin,Devin……………….
Stephen
January 26th, 2011
3:32 pm
Considering the drama around this ownership group in regards to the recent news about the Thrashers and them basically considering them a dead asset, it would make sense to drum up some more positive PR by being active in trying to get involved with bring Carmelo here. If we traded Josh Smith, Williams,Crawford and a draft pick for Carmelo and JR Smith (or Billups), would that work?
terrell
January 26th, 2011
3:34 pm
“Melo has never won in the NBA.” Neither has Lebron, CP3, Deron, Barkley, Nique, etc………… And??
SiCkOfThiS
January 26th, 2011
3:34 pm
The AJC likes to post junk before they know what they’re talking about. Oh dear, faithful readers, don’t believe a word this nonsense
terrell
January 26th, 2011
3:43 pm
Ken, but Melo scores in a alot of different ways than this team does. He can fininsh at the rim. He can take it to the hole. He gets to the free throw line. He can post up. Name me 1 player on opur team who can do that? All we do is shoot freakin jumpshots. The’re’s more to scoring, than just scoring? If you know what I mean. If Melo’s jumper isnt falling, he can do other things. We’re basically done when our shots arent falling.
honky talkin'
January 26th, 2011
3:48 pm
What a non-story. There is no chance of the Hawks ever getting a high-profile player like Melo. we are doomed for mediocrity with the current ownership. The source for this is Bullsh!t.
STRETCH
January 26th, 2011
3:50 pm
Dikembe Mutombo,
In case you are NOT up on current and recent events, Atlanta and as of lately, the whole state of GA is NOT even football country.
Freshfromatl
January 26th, 2011
3:54 pm
terrell,
Stop It with your wet dream about Carmelo already!!!! It ain’t happening!! If the trade not involved getting a major defensive presense in the post, or a top-flight point guard, the Hawks may as well keep what they have now.
Once again, Melo is not improving this team in no way, shape, form or fashion if you have to give up Josh, Al, or Joe.
ASHCAN.
January 26th, 2011
3:55 pm
Trade joe johnson for him,then if he don’t resign,we will have cap space to sign crawford and another free agent vet.Im sorry but joe johnson is not even close worth the money he’s making.
jfreak13713
January 26th, 2011
4:00 pm
I would trade ANYONE on the Hawks team for Melo if we could sign him long term? I would tell them to take their pick of any two guys they wanted (Johnson and Marvin Williams) would be nice!
Boneyard Randy
January 26th, 2011
4:10 pm
DO NOT TRADE JOSH OR AL. We don’t need another 3 or 4. Go get a 1. Trade anyone but Josh or Al.
AS
January 26th, 2011
4:30 pm
Get rid of Marvin William, he sucks.
terrell
January 26th, 2011
4:35 pm
lol @ Freshfromatl. Why are you so upset? Get off the blog, or skip my posts if it makes you feel better about yourself. I’n just having a little fun. Thats what blogs are for. Clown!
Will
January 26th, 2011
4:40 pm
I say the Hawks NEED to get rid of Joe Johnson and Bibby!
Paying 120mil for Johnson was heartbreaking! I think we should have paid 120mil to a player like Mello!
terrell
January 26th, 2011
4:41 pm
Melo is not improving this team in no way, shape, form, or fashion, if you have to give up Joe, Josh, or Al”. Is that so? Sounds like an opinion to me. But whatever. lol!
Guido
January 26th, 2011
4:43 pm
Marvin and Bibby for Deron Williams is a Mega Move
JSS
January 26th, 2011
4:44 pm
dukester
January 26th, 2011
3:12 pm
“Once again Northcyde you are right. Im gone dont even want to partake in this madness from some folks on this board. Starting with LARRY!! he must be the biggest racist on the planet. This guy said “bring the best player with tattoos” Sorry larry we wouldnt have a NBA if we got rid of tattooed players. Personally I dont have one and would never get one but me looking at your post from the falcons and hawks I bet you a dollar your a racist.”
Well said… But he’ll say: “that he’s color blind.”
terrell
January 26th, 2011
4:44 pm
Yall must be smoking if you think we’re better of with Josh at sf, than Melo. You guys must absolutely love JUMPERS. I like players who cna score in a variety of different ways. Not 1 dimensional scorers(jumpshooters). Only player we have like that is Jamal.
terrell
January 26th, 2011
4:45 pm
And btw, Smoove’s defense is overated as hell.
Guido
January 26th, 2011
4:49 pm
Terrell that’s not true when he is out the game teams attack the paint big time.
terrell
January 26th, 2011
4:52 pm
Joe can adapt to the motion offense but Carmelo cant???? Wow! I know the trade more than likely wont happen, but some of you people act like we can compete in the East with the “core”. Laughable to say the least.
Michael Cunningham
January 26th, 2011
4:54 pm
@terrell: ““Weaken us in other areas”? Other areas like what? We havent had a legit sf in years. Forget the other areas. As long as we dont give up JJ or Al, there’s no way you can tell me Melo want HELP this team. No Way! Bibby/JJ/Melo/Al/Collins is better than what were putting out there right now. Not even close. Give em Josh/Jamal/two 1sts if AT ALL possible.”
well, for starters, your trade just severely weakened the interior D without compensating for that by adding some perimeter D. have you seen what happens when Josh is out of the game? layup line.
areukiddingme
January 26th, 2011
4:55 pm
Carmelo would be the greatest hawk of all time. Even as a rental. Gimme a freggin break, none of u naysayers know a damn thing about basketball.
Will Sevidal
January 26th, 2011
4:55 pm
Carmelo Anthony in a Hawks jersey.
terrell
January 26th, 2011
4:56 pm
Never said Smoove wasnt a good defender, but you guys act like his defense cant be replaced.
Freshfromatl
January 26th, 2011
4:57 pm
terrell,
I’m not upset (child please!). I’m actually at work right now thinking about were I would like to have dinner tonight with my beautiful lady-friend
However you’re most likely gonna be very upset because any logical thinking person knows this trade is not gonna happen. And with that being said, I’ll leave this entire internet space here just for you so you can continue typing out your fantasy on Carmelo. Dueces!
Playoffs?// Playoffs?? Your asking me about Playoffs?
January 26th, 2011
5:01 pm
To Atlanta ?R U kidding! LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLLOLLOOLLOOLOOLOLLOL
jason delane
January 26th, 2011
5:01 pm
anybody says trade josh smith is mental. he makes the hawks interesting and fun to watch so kill that noise people
Braindead atl fanslayoffs?
January 26th, 2011
5:05 pm
I hear it’s really gonna happen -right after Kobe goes to the knicks straight up for Eddie Curry and Wade goes to Detroit straight up for Greg Monroe
ATLBorn
January 26th, 2011
5:10 pm
I don’t know what it would take to get Melo but if they were willing to take Josh Smith, Marvin Williams and a 1st rd pick we should make that deal before the Nuggets ownership are committed to the looney bin and run down Peachtree laughing like hell. If the Nuggets would be dumb enough to take Joe Johnson, a role player and a 1st rounder for him (not sure if Joe’s contract would work with this deal) then we really would’ve gotten over on them. If we can get Melo with out giving up Horford and half of the team we should do it.
Double Zero Eight
January 26th, 2011
5:13 pm
Didn’t we rent Danny Manning? That did not turn out well.
He was suppose to be the missing link when we got him,
and was gone the next year.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 26th, 2011
5:13 pm
I posted a Trade Machine link during the previous blog’s Melo discussion of a three way trade which I think would have a chance of being accepted by all sides and would improve the Hawks (contingent of course on Melo signing an extension, without which any trade for Melo would be a Teixeirian disaster).
Hawks would get Melo and Rip Hamilton
Pistons would get Marvin, Mo, and Teague
Nuggets would get Joe Johnson, a Hawks first rounder, and a Pistons first rounder
Hawks swap out their leading scorer for a better leading scorer and swap out their overpaid small forward for a more overpaid but much better 2 guard with championship experience
Nuggets get back an All Star and picks to replace Melo
Pistons shed a huge contract and locker room distraction from their payroll and gain a prospect still on his rookie scale deal, saving a total of about $13 million in salary spread out over three years
With all that said, I think the Hawks can get Nash for a much more reasonable price, and I’d ideally like to see them pursue a Nash trade.
Snatchandgrab
January 26th, 2011
5:15 pm
You never know. His wife used to be a radio dj here in Atlanta.
terrell
January 26th, 2011
5:19 pm
MC, so why is it that we can get blown out when the mighty Josh Smith is playing such great defense? Hell, I see people attacking the paint when he’s in there. And youre right, it’s the perimeter d that kills us. But Smoove nor Melo can help with that. Thats why I’d go with Melo. Heck, a guy like a Craig Smith, or Reggie Evans, could compensate for Smooves absence on the defensive end. Trade a couple of our bench players(Mo/Teague) for one of those guys while adding Melo and I think we’re a better team.
Bibby/JJ/Melo/Horford/Collins
Jamal/Mo/Marvin/Evans/Zaza
JC2/Damien
And once again, I know the trade probably wont happen. Just havin a little fun. lol! Never no though.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 26th, 2011
5:20 pm
“And btw, Smoove’s defense is overated as hell.”
Every defensive stat on basketball-reference disagrees with you. Last time I checked (five days ago) Smoove was the only player in the league who is top 20 in steals, blocks, defensive rating, and defensive win shares. If Dwight Howard were to get abducted by aliens, Smoove would have a very legit case for Defensive Player of the Year.
terrell
January 26th, 2011
5:23 pm
Freshfromatl, said “Terrell stop it with your wet dream about Carmelo already!!!!” Sounds like you were a little ticked off to me. Why else would you start the name calling? It’s all good though.
J. J. MM
January 26th, 2011
5:23 pm
A trade for ‘Melo would definitely interrupt the chemistry of this team.. Not sure if he can fit in with the “motion” offense style of play. Sharing the ball not one of his better attributes. Losing the core players would weaken the Hawks this year but years to come.
ReddJonn68
January 26th, 2011
5:24 pm
Alan Hahn needs to leave those funny style cigarettes alone!
ReddJonn68
January 26th, 2011
5:39 pm
A more realistic goal is to trade for a center before the deadline with these injuries that we have been having, some help in the post against these strong Eastern Conf. teams would be perfect. Somebody like a Brendan Haywood type a decent passing guy that plays a little defense is great for the motion offense.
wend28
January 26th, 2011
5:39 pm
Everybody and their brother has inquired about Carmelo playing for their team. Carmelo doesn’t want to play in Atlanta. It’s NYC or bust for him.