Carmelo Anthony (Photo : Reuters File)
The NBA trade rumors on Carmelo Anthony will continue to linger throughout the season and the Memphis Grizzlies' fans are taking a look.
When a team is short on solid offensive options, the best way to address this need is to grab the best scorer in the league. Carmelo Anthony has a strong argument on that claim.
Grizzlies' fan site Beale Street Bears reiterated this fact: "Melo can definitely score in high volume, bulk scoring with good percentages. He's averaged 45.5 FG% for his career. This would be the player the Grizzlies have been missing since Rudy Gay left. Somebody who's not afraid to shoot the ball, and can get hoops when it matters."
Most pundits don't think Carmelo will endure to miss the playoffs on one of his last few prime years. Besides, there was also a reason why Marc Gasol was a prime free agent target of the Knicks-his defense would greatly complement Melo's offense.
Since the Knicks' can't pull off that combination, how about the other way around? The Grizzlies have a top grade point guard in his prime in Mike Conley. Having a "Big Three" with a scoring forward, defensive center and a cerebral point guard is a textbook basketball roster as Rant Sports noted: "Names like the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies come to mind initially as franchises that could easily win a ring if they were able to acquire Anthony."
There are two caveats to this idea. Firstly, the New York Knicks have to agree to part ways with their only superstar. The proposed combination has Jeff Green, Matt Barnes, Courtney Lee and Jordan Adams for Melo. Other combinations have Brandan Wright replacing Barnes and a draft pick for Adams.
Would these be enough to entice the Knicks? This is a proposal from the Grizzlies' point of view, but what would the Knicks say?
Also, the other caveat is what would Melo say? Since he has a no-trade clause, he can disapprove any trade involving him. With an actress wife, will Melo take a lifestyle change from the Big Apple to Memphis?
There's no denying though, that if this trade actually does happen, the Grizzlies are title contenders in any Conference.
