At the end of the day Melo and Denver and the whole world knew he'd end up in New York, but Dolan wanted to make the trade so its not Melo's fault he did all he could, the constant New York media hyping up the potential trade and fans asking for him did this. But remember he comes that means no Wilson Chandler, no Tyson Chandler, no Iman Shumpert
Word is NYK asked Carmelo if he would wait, but CA said if NYK didn't make a move he would accept NYJ's overtures and agree to an extension w/ the NETS.
Dolan then... With his keen business mind, decided there would be no bluffing or playing chicken. He asked DEn what they wanted. They asked for everything. He gave them everything.
Carmelo chose between 2 things:
1) Go to NY and have a supporting cast but leave about 10 mil on table potentially.
2) Get paid. Get 100 mil instead of 90 mil (or something) but have zero supporting cast.
He opted for the cash. He probably thought he was so good, that the depth wouldn't matter. Or maybe he didn't care.
Anyway, the moment he let NY know it was trade or else... he was saying that he wont risk it and wait for free agency. He wanted CASH over titles.
I am sorry. being good and losing in the 1st round is worse than being lousy.
You never improve that way, and are stuck in NBA limbo.
This is why he shoulders the burden. He put us in this position.
I bet now he wishes he just waited until free agency