Melo holds all the cards, wouldn't surprise me if he's here in NY in March.
I don't see the Clips in his future w/o them willing to part with one of their big 3. Cleveland must move love either to NY or to Bos in a 3 way. Strategically if I'm Griffin I not making an EC contender like the C's better by giving them KLove but a struggling team like the Knicks I think he would but he's not going to do this w/o addressing a complementary need like asking for WHG and giving the Knicks someone like Kay Felder.
Boston has all those picks plus guys that are coming up for contracts so they offer the best chance for us to do a rebuild around expirings and first round picks. We'd be going the route of the Sixers and we'll probably suck for years but there's a sentiment that's the way to go. Now does Melo really want to go there, I think he could be persuaded and does Ainge really want him
If I had to bet, I would bet that CLE makes a few minor moves, BOs makes a trade for somebody else and we say NO to the LAC offer....
Just seems to hard to make this trade now.... NY probably feels they'll get more for Melo this summer, his suitors don't want to shake up their rosters mid-season.
Also, does anybody really think they can beat GSW? CLE playing with house money this year.... BOS may believe they can get to the Finals with a Melo or Butler, but I doubt they feel they can beat GSW anyway....
LAC might be delusional and think they have a shot, but they don't have the assets to get Melo.
Now, CLE or BOS might also feel that it's better to shake things up now, and
begin the Melo acclimation now....
Believing they could build equity that will pay dividends next season.
BOS might also prefer Melo bc he will
cost half of what a Butler will cost.
Again, who knows.
To me, Brown and a pick is a no-brainer. They have plenty of picks and they have Crowder at SF anyway. This deal let's BOS make a run now while still building through the draft.
Melo's deal done either 2018 or 2019 (if he picks up the option).
Now, what would cost for Butler be?
At the end of the day, I do doubt this deal gets done and I do believe that teams just don't see Melo putting them over the top.... he's an upgrade. And helps them win the east.... but that Warriors team is too good, so why bother wasting assets now.