I have become a complete Daryl Morey convert. When he was stockpiling every pick in the first round before the draft, I thought he was an idiot. But he hasn't missed a step since. His picks (gamble on Royce White aside - and I LOVED the pick at the time) have been solid and his acquisitions of Lin, Asik and (especially) Harden were masterful. He's like a combination of Whitsitt and KP: he shoots for the moon and so far has got it. Which is why I have a feeling he'll want to pursue Dwight Howard. So (bear with me) I have a further feeling that he might be willing to offload Asik, who has otherwise been a very astute acquisition. If he does, I think we should try to get him, as he is everything we lack at C: he's one of the best defenders in the league at that position, and is relatively young and healthy. (In retrospect, maybe it would've been better to sign him to an offer sheet instead of Hibbert, but then we wouldn't've got to see Hickson's offensive improvement.) Would we have cap space to just absorb his contract if Houston wanted to offload it to pursue Howard? It would be nice to reacquire what would have been one of our most astute draft picks of the past decade.
It would take Leonard + cap space if we really want to "Win Now". They would need a big in return, IMO. Are we willing to do that?
On my scenario that wouldn't work. I don't think Houston would do that just to get Hickson, because they knew Asik was an offensive zero when they signed him, so they obviously value his defense highly, and wouldn't swap it for Hickson's offense. Plus they have Thomas Robinson now, who is of a similar size to Hickson. I think our only chance is if we can absorb his salary in a lopsided trade.
I think it really just depends on what's available this summer. If we strike out with other free agents, it might be worth it to try to look into Asik, but that hinges entirely on Houston signing Howard.
I was under the impression that they were signing Howard in your scenario. I don't see them offloading Asik without having Howard already in hand.
My whole assumption is that the ONLY way they can clear enough space to sign Howard is to offload Asik. Y'know, like the Lakers offloading Vlade to clear space to get Shaq. (Of course, they "offloaded" Vlade for a teenage draft pick called Bryant, damn their oily hides.)
Yes, but I would think the deal would need to take place before they take a shot at Howard. They would have enough cap space to get Howard, but if it doesn't happen, they have the insurance of a young center in Leonard.
I think the only way that this would happen if they had Howard waiting to sign on the dotted line and they needed the cap space. In which case, they might be willing to offload Asik for a player like Leonard and a draft pick or something.
If that were the case, wouldn't it be easier for them to just get LA to take Asik as part of a sign and trade for Howard? Seems like that would eliminate the "chance" factor.
Oh good! I was like, "Hey man, you can trade Aldridge, but it better never ever ever be to Lakers!!!!"
I think we need to find a scenario that includes Howard staying in LA, because right now that is still the likeliest scenario. If he did go to Houston it may involve Asik in a sign and trade. Which does not help Portland. So if Howard does not go to Houston, do the Rockets still want to get rid of Asik? If so what do we have that they would need? Does not look promising to me.
I don't think the Lakers would want Asik. He doesn't fit the mold, and at that point they'd want to clear the decks entirely so they can make a run at someone like Lebron in a year or two.
Kobe won't allow them to get nothing in return so they can wait another two years for Lebron. Asik would be better than they would have if Howard left for nothing. Plus his contract is small.
