Sam Margolin
Jul 24, 2017 · 1 min read

Melo and Kyrie are actually very similar players, although obviously at different stages of their careers. They both are potentially extremely valuable complimentary players (they’re essentially role players, but whose role is to score and eat possessions with above average efficiency, so you can fill the rest of the team with defensive bulldogs or glue guys) with extreme diminishing returns in terms of winning impact if you don’t surround them with the right guys. Kyrie on a poorly constructed team like the Knicks would probably produce the same 30 win results as Melo, a statement based on the fact that that’s what he did in Cleveland before Lebron showed up. I think Knicks fans would love for the team to figure out a way to make this trade, but unless Kristaps can play a full season AND make a leap, I think there are legitimate questions as to whether they’d actually be better.

    Sam Margolin

    Written by

    Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
    Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
    Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade