Asik to Portland - DOA

[Fez Hammersticks]

The asking price is way too high and it makes no sense with Lopez emerging into the center that LMA has always wanted.

My Grantland pals Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe recently had a compelling podcast discussion offering all sorts of reasons why the better-than-expected Portland Trail Blazers might be moved to try to upgrade from Robin Lopez to Asik at center by offering Lopez and another quality asset in exchange for Dwight's disgruntled backup. All indications at this point, though, suggest that Portland is thrilled with Lopez's impact and not planning to make a run at Asik. Houston is similarly lukewarm on the idea.

http://espn.go.com/blog/marc-stein/post/_/id/656/latest-from-the-asik-trade-front

 

[tlongII]

I hate idiots with trade conjecture.

 

[Nhawz]

Houston is lukewarm because they do not want to see us get any better.

 

[Nhawz]

What else did Bill have to say about the Blazers? That guy never has anything good to say about us.

 

[BBert]

What else did Bill have to say about the Blazers? That guy never has anything good to say about us.

He calls us soccer mom's. I'm pretty sure that's a compliment.

 

[Blazinaway]

we need scoring off the bench and another big IMO, the longer I consider this the more I'd like to see us get Spencer Hawes, he brings very good offense and lineup flexibility.

 

[Kaydow]

Houston is lukewarm because they do not want to see us get any better.

And they should be. Why would you help a team with the best record in your conference get better unless it significantly favored your own team? Houston's big advantage over Portland is D12, who went 29/13 and dominated Lopez when they beat us in PDX earlier this season. They aren't going to help us neutralize that advantage just because Asik is disgruntled. The Lopez + something for Asik made sense before the season started. Surely now the Blazers want to keep Lopez and ADD Asik, which closes the deal. No way Houston is going to hand us another big to pair with Lopez, and we don't have anybody else they want (besides guys we would never trade). Not sure why this is even being discussed any longer.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

The asking price is way too high and it makes no sense with Lopez emerging into the center that LMA has always wanted.



http://espn.go.com/blog/marc-stein/post/_/id/656/latest-from-the-asik-trade-front

It's hard to move a growing fan favorite.

 

[Blazinaway]

It's hard to move a growing fan favorite.

whether we get a guy like Asik or Hawes we DO NOT move Lopez, however I do not really want Asik becaue he is too similar to Lopez, unless he was too cheap to pass up with is very unlikely

 

[Nhawz]

And they should be. Why would you help a team with the best record in your conference get better unless it significantly favored your own team? Houston's big advantage over Portland is D12, who went 29/13 and dominated Lopez when they beat us in PDX earlier this season. They aren't going to help us neutralize that advantage just because Asik is disgruntled. The Lopez + something for Asik made sense before the season started. Surely now the Blazers want to keep Lopez and ADD Asik, which closes the deal. No way Houston is going to hand us another big to pair with Lopez, and we don't have anybody else they want (besides guys we would never trade). Not sure why this is even being discussed any longer.

Agreed.

 

[Nhawz]

whether we get a guy like Asik or Hawes we DO NOT move Lopez, however I do not really want Asik becaue he is too similar to Lopez, unless he was too cheap to pass up with is very unlikely

I dont move Lopez for either one.

 

[Natebishop3]

Asik isn't the answer. The difference between Lopez and Asik is not worth giving up someone like CJ or TRob.

 

[Nhawz]

He calls us soccer mom's. I'm pretty sure that's a compliment.

Coming from that clown, ill take it. Cannot stand that guy

 

[THE HCP]

I hate idiots with trade conjecture.

Than this forum is no place for you!

 

[OneLifeToLive]

whether we get a guy like Asik or Hawes we DO NOT move Lopez, however I do not really want Asik becaue he is too similar to Lopez, unless he was too cheap to pass up with is very unlikely

He's a lil better offensively than Lopez isn't he?

So you wouldn't move Lopez for him. Let me ask you this...How many of you would take CJ McCollum and trade him for Asik? I think he is your only legitimate trade piece that doesnt mess with chemistry.

 

[Natebishop3]

He's a lil better offensively than Lopez isn't he?

So you wouldn't move Lopez for him. Let me ask you this...How many of you would take CJ McCollum and trade him for Asik? I think he is your only legitimate trade piece that doesnt mess with chemistry.

No, actually Lopez is significantly better on offense and a MUCH better free throw shooter.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

No, actually Lopez is significantly better on offense and a MUCH better free throw shooter.

Wha? Wow.

So why does Asik have such hype? Don't get it. Why are the BG's of the world clamoring for him?

 

[Blazinaway]

He's a lil better offensively than Lopez isn't he?

So you wouldn't move Lopez for him. Let me ask you this...How many of you would take CJ McCollum and trade him for Asik? I think he is your only legitimate trade piece that doesnt mess with chemistry.

I really do not want Asik, Hawes would be a great fit IMO, not sure what it would take to get him, I'd prefer to offer Trob and Leonard but they might want CJ, so then you go CJ and probably Freeland or Leonard, I am just guessin at "value"

 

[Nikolokolus]

What else did Bill have to say about the Blazers? That guy never has anything good to say about us.

Nope. You're wrong.

 

[Natebishop3]

Wha? Wow.

So why does Asik have such hype? Don't get it. Why are the BG's of the world clamoring for him?

Because he's an elite rebounder, almost 12 rebounds per game last year, and he's a really good defender/help defender. He would be a great addition, but our starting five are playing great ball and I don't think Asik would want to come off the bench.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

I really do not want Asik, Hawes would be a great fit IMO, not sure what it would take to get him, I'd prefer to offer Trob and Leonard but they might want CJ, so then you go CJ and probably Freeland or Leonard, I am just guessin at "value"

So you would take your unseen rookie offensive jauggernaut in a package and move them for Hawes?

That what your sayin'?

 

[Blazinaway]

I dont move Lopez for either one.

we KEEP LOPEZ under any of those scenarios, we ADD DEPTH and do not touch our starters

 

[Blazinaway]

So you would take your unseen rookie offensive jauggernaut in a package and move them for Hawes?

That what your sayin'?

I'd "consider it", but prefer to try to get Hawes for a Trob/Leonard combo, I think CJ and change (for salaries) it a bit of an overpay so if I did I'g want more back from Philly

 

[Nhawz]

we KEEP LOPEZ under any of those scenarios, we ADD DEPTH and do not touch our starters

Misread. Agreed.

 

[ripcityboy]

I just don't see what we have to offer. Almost every player we have is crucial to us. Blazers won't trade CJ because they haven't seen how good he is. Leonard isn't going anywhere for the same reason. We don't have a first round pick or even a second round pick this year. What's to offer?

 

[Blazinaway]

I just don't see what we have to offer. Almost every player we have is crucial to us. Blazers won't trade CJ because they haven't seen how good he is. Leonard isn't going anywhere for the same reason. We don't have a first round pick or even a second round pick this year. What's to offer?

are we in serious "win now" mode or just playin around, you have to give to get. My opinion is we are one good piece from really contending, Leonard I'd trade in a heartbeat, CJ I am not so sure, depends on the fit

 

[Nikolokolus]

I just don't see what we have to offer. Almost every player we have is crucial to us. Blazers won't trade CJ because they haven't seen how good he is. Leonard isn't going anywhere for the same reason. We don't have a first round pick or even a second round pick this year. What's to offer?

I see two "crucial" players, three "tough to replace." and everybody else is and should be movable for the right deal.

 

[ripcityboy]

I see two "crucial" players, three "tough to replace." and everybody else is and should be movable for the right deal.

Yeah. Don't mess with team chemistry at all. It's our star power that's keeping us together right.

 

[BigGameDamian]

are we in serious "win now" mode or just playin around, you have to give to get. My opinion is we are one good piece from really contending, Leonard I'd trade in a heartbeat, CJ I am not so sure, depends on the fit

Agree, You can't just sit back and say we have a good thing going and fall in love with players. You have to be a little be risky to get to the top.

 

[Nikolokolus]

So you would take your unseen rookie offensive jauggernaut in a package and move them for Hawes?

That what your sayin'?

This is a little premature. McCollum is a 6'3" shooting guard - mystery meat like 98% of rookies (minus guys like Lebron, Durant, etc. that people know are going to be impact players). For all we know he won't be able to make the leap.

Not to say you should be trading him for Hawes and I can't see Olshey using him in a trade, without at least getting to see him on the court and how he fits with this roster, but if there was an attractive enough trade offer on the table, he should be considered a movable asset. I say that because I see McCollum's ceiling on this roster as nothing more than a sixth-man scorer (not big enough, not enough of a point-guard, nor defensively oriented enough to pair with Lillard in a starting back court.)