Yeah, well, not exactly. But perhaps we're getting closer.
The Nets' deal is final, pending a contract extension for Melo — which is like saying that the colonization of Mars is final, pending the part where you actually put people there. The extension is everything to this deal. The Nuggets are dying to deal Melo before he skips town, and every team in the NBA would love to have him, but nothing can happen until Melo signs on the dotted line and collects his cool $65 million.
Rumblings around the league indicate that the Nets aren't the only team planning to meet with Melo in Los Angeles this weekend during the All-Star festivities. The Knicks will be involved as well. Both teams are entering that last-minute scramble to hammer out a contract for the Denver star, and before long, we'll know a winner.
We'll be thrilled when we do.
Here's the bottom line, folks, it's time for this Melo-drama to end. The guy's been whining for a change of scenery since before the preseason even began five months ago. It feels more like five years. The incessant "will he, won't he" clamoring over Melo's move has gone on for far too long, and one way or the other, we need a resolution.
The trade deadline is now less than a week away, so something's got to give, and fast. Either the Nets, the Knicks or a mystery third team will swoop in and finalize this thing. It's happening.
The sad truth is that once this deal goes down, it won't be a tremendous game-changer in the NBA this season. The Nuggets are in rebuilding mode, sure. The Nets or Knicks will improve, no doubt, but neither of them will become a real contender in the Eastern Conference. The chase for the title will continue, and Melo's move won't matter one bit in the grand scheme of things.
The real story here isn't the trade itself. It's all the coverage, all the speculation, and all the rumors — all that jazz is coming to an end, and that alone is cause to celebrate.
