http://sports-kings.com/passthepill...l-blockbuster-trade-involving-picks-and-melo/
Knicks, Lakers potential blockbuster trade involving picks and ‘Melo
- May 22, 2015
- Cameron Wilkosz
Photo Credit: REUTERS – Danny Moloshok
The New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers had historically bad seasons in 2015, and fans have to be sick of seeing them both on national television as frequently as they are. The Lakers struck draft lottery gold when they jumped up from the fourth best chance of the first pick, to landing the second overall pick. The Knicks were faced with the opposite end of the deal, moving down from second to fourth.
The Lakers are in desperation mode for an instant rebuild, rather than a gradual process, in a bid to give Kobe Bryant one last shot at a title. The Knicks on the other hand need a full rebuild, and should look at filling their roster with young and talented players. This potential deal would give the Knicks that exact opportunity and chance.Obviously other players would have to be added and swapped for cap reasons, but this would be the core of the hypothetical potential blockbuster trade.
Knicks receive: #2 overall pick, Julius Randle
Lakers receive: Carmelo Anthony
Why it makes sense for New York:
Phil Jackson and Knicks GM, Steve Mills have to be so disappointed in the way the ping pong balls landed. But that’s why they call it a lottery, anything can happen.
With the #2 and #4 pick, the Knicks could select two from a pool of Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafor, D’Angelo Russell and Emmanuel Mudiay. The Knicks would likely end up with Russell and either Okafor or Towns, giving them a sweet one-two punch for potentially the next 10-15 years. This would make New York a much more attractive destination for free agents to come on board when the cap balloons next summer.
This would also clear the hefty contract the ‘Melo possesses, making it the Lakers problem. Anthony is one year into his 5 year, $124M deal with a no-trade clause and a 15% trade kicker. If the Knicks keep him around and still try to bring on more big name free agents, that contract is going to make any kind of movement tough.
The Knicks have one simple question to ask about this trade. Sudden risky rebuild, or gradual steady improvement from young talent.
Why it makes sense for Los Angeles:
The Lakers are desperate to give Kobe one more chance at a playoff push to potentially tie Michael Jordan’s six rings total. When teams are desperate they don’t usually have the chips available to acquire someone like Carmelo Anthony, LA does.
Randle would be a big piece to give up for the future of the club, but the Lakers would have Carmelo Anthony in purple and gold for at least the next four seasons. This would absolutely max out the Lakers cap space, making it extremely tough for them to acquire any other elite talent.
Los Angeles would have to rely on players trust in the Lakers and their chances at taking a deep shot at the Finals. Ed Davis proved to be valuable at an extremely low cost for L.A last season, the Lakers would have to find more bargain bin deals just like that.
If the Lakers hope to give Kobe one last shot, this may best their best option.
Let's do it!
Melo for Randle, huh? Alright, deal.
whoa, whoa, hold up. What's the circumference of Julius' buttocks? The diameter of his donk? 
we need to know before we just get rid of donkmelo like he's worth nothing
you really should have known better
