many contending teams might take a decent chance for his services
I think he is probably worth 2 year 20m - 24m total, not even fully guaranteed because of his age and history of injuries
However, with players like Durant, Lebron, Paul George, some rising stars like Tobias Harris and some rookies coming in, he fills a position that would be needed for a final piece to contend
just a couple of teams I have on top of my head that will have the ability to sign him and are contenders include
I think he is still worth at least 8-12m depending on years
Some teams will need to use the amnesty, one of Deng's attributes was his ability to play G/F, but now with injuries and age, I think he has to play more SF but still can shoot if open, he is a glue player, but unlike Gereld Wallace he has more skills and doesn't just rely mainly physical abilities and IQ, hustle, smarts, as a GLUE player that can score
SA
Houston (depending on if they get rid of Lin/Asik) they are at 72m if they each make 15m, so if they dont want a "big name" like Melo and prefer a glue guy to use on Durant/Lebron, but I am not sure if they are 8m per year or 15 in salary cap room, think we should send them Melo if they want a BIG name, would gladly take Lin, Asik, Parsons and some picks, then trade Chandler or Asik but CHandler makes more money
OKC (if they get amnesty Perkins that they should have done to keep Harden
somewhat rebuilding but also good enough to compete with talent/cap room
Chicago (can they even resign him since he wasn't waived)
Mavs with Marion and Carter older but then they would be stuck above mediocrity
Suns *I prefer to send them Melo with all their picks and their seats are empty but have talent on their roster despite Bledsoe being out*
New Orleans *they just need a SF and maybe a decent athletic PF/C*
Detroit I think he makes the most sense here, especially if they can move Monroe for something, playing a Prince role as the glue player while mentoring Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Jennings
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope/Billups/Bynum
Deng *if Melo is willing to take less than his 25m contract, they can probably sign him in the range of 20m, they just have to do a few minor trades*
Smith
Drummond
Unlikely but with $$$
Atlanta just has been a very solid team despite losing JJ, Horford, and lacking ALL STAR's on paper, but plays well enough to get in playoffs
Toronto - likely unlikely with Terrence Ross
Wizards to replace Trevor Ariza, but resigning Gortat than Ariza would probably make more sense since they have their bird rights
Bucks to mentor Giannis
Philly
Utah has a lot of money and they do need a SF
Some of these teams might need to shed a few contracts
Knicks
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James Johnson is the cost efficient guy for me, Knick's should look to acquire him
Former early mid 1st rounder coached by the Bullls/Thibs as a journey man,
I have been saying it for years now, I think we should add James Johnson on a 2 year vet min guaranteed deal if needed
He is young and has good size/length/decent athleticism, if he can just improve his 3pt shot and mid range shot he would be a solid rotation player that can start
Remember in the summer people were happy we got Pablo and MWP *BEST SIGNING for VALUE and DEF*, we failed to add talent 2 years in a row with the MLE, first with Kidd *though he provided Leadership but lacked talent, unfortunately we need leadership with talent and those players cost money
Even with Camby, although prior to the trade he actually had some very good games
Almost any vet min shot blocker/rebounder that is younger since Chandler isn't the most mobile to begin with and twin towers at their age doesn't work anymore with their lack of OFF
and the 2 2nd round picks that Morey got for a 40 year old
Novak *he just isn't that talented unless utilized correctly with penetration and 4-5 shooters with versatile defenders to cover him*
He got Danny Green money while Danny Green is better than Novak is EVERY possible way except for height
Grunweld and Donnie Walsh had 2 completely different theories but Dolan wanted Melo despite his GM and Coach telling him not to do it
Meanwhile Grunweld got veterans that Woodson wanted and paid a decent price for them, and they suck just like Woodsons system
Well Dantoni got 1/2 year at most of some players to run his system out of his entire Knick's coaching to "attract" FA's to come when we had no salary to sign FA's to begin with till 3-4 years later?
Oh and then there is Felton, those 2 2nd round picks,
Felton was meant to be a stoppage PG, to build him up in Dantoni's system and then sell him high as we looked to acquire Cp3 in the near future had we not traded half a team for a player that will either walk for nothing or take half of our salary cap
Kidd/Pablo/Udrih, none of them can defend the PG position, how can we possibly be a decent defensive team when you have players that cannot defend their own position?
Then we have a SG playing SF
a older C that is slower that cannot help 3 positions and cover his own with Melo at the 4 unable to help him at the 5 but Melo plays his best at the 4
