Going for Melo destroyed our team because A) he was not a superstar B) we gave up every possible asset to get him.

There’s a chance Irving, who is actually a superstar, is not a superstar for the Knicks simply because of injuries and decline towards the end of the contract when he would be 30, but it would be just like if we had signed only Amare: we would still have all our assets and could get out of the contract much easier or build around him if we still had the players and assets we threw Denver’s way.

I don’t think the Knicks would be contenders just by adding him, but it’s 100% a better move than adding Melo at that price ever was (or adding Melo as a free agent for that matter). I’m still scared about the injuries and I’d obviously rather get a guy like Durant, Giannis or Anthony Davis, but there’s legitimate reason to be excited about a possible move like this, specially if Knox, Robinson and Ntilikina show good signs of development this season and we get a high draft pick.

In fact, Pearl is a great comp for him: great competitor, bad knees, great dribbler and scorer, not much else. Clyde and the rest compensated for Pearl’s deficiencies, including the lack of playmaking for others, and I believe the NYKs would have a similar set of traits to integrate and cover up for. I still say go for it.

I don’t think he’ll ever be a fantastic passer but that’s not what he does, he’s a primary scorer who can also create a bit for others. I don’t think he’s the most ideal fit next to Porzingis but if you could guarantee to me he’ll stay healthy for 80% if his games I would not be against it at all.