Could we get Asik?

[Rastapopoulos]

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.

 

[Natebishop3]

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.

I think it was suggested in an older thread that we try to sign-and-trade Hickson for Asik.

 

[magnifier661]

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?

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I think it was suggested in an older thread that we try to sign-and-trade Hickson for Asik.

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.

 

[Natebishop3]

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?

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.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

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?

Wouldn't the "big in return" be Howard?

But yes, I would give up Leonard for Asik.

 

[Natebishop3]

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 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.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

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.)

 

[magnifier661]

Wouldn't the "big in return" be Howard?

But yes, I would give up Leonard for Asik.

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.

 

[Natebishop3]

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.)

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.

 

[B-Roy]

Fun fact.

We drafted Asik.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

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.

 

[magnifier661]

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.

Are you suggesting giving L.A. LA?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Are you suggesting giving L.A. LA?

Absolutely not. I'm saying that if it's just a cap space issue, Houston doesn't need us.

 

[magnifier661]

Absolutely not. I'm saying that if it's just a cap space issue, Houston doesn't need us.

Oh good! I was like, "Hey man, you can trade Aldridge, but it better never ever ever be to Lakers!!!!"

 

[Natebishop3]

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.

Maybe they want to fuck the Lakers? I would go out of my way to fuck the Lakers if I could.

 

[Pinwheel1]

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.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

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.

 

[Pinwheel1]

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.

 

[mook]

Fun fact.

We drafted Asik.

Wrong.

This fact is not "fun."

 

[Rastapopoulos]

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.

"Kobe won't allow"? Is Mitch Kupchak really Kobe's bitch? So why didn't they trade Bynum for Kidd when Kobe threw his little tantrum?

Asik's hardly "showtime". Asik is a player you want if the rest of your players can score. I guess if Kobe goes for 40 a night then they can settle for him.

And it's funny you say his contract is small, given how many people were mocking the Rockets for wildly overpaying Asik.

 

[Pinwheel1]

If LA loses Howard, who will be their center? They won't have a lot of options? Sometimes the Lakers will take what they can get. Steve Blake is not exactly showtime.

I admit I did not know Asik has a balloon payment of 14 million in the last year of his contract but the Lakers rarely worry about cap space. And although Mitch is not Kobe's puppet, I still say no one (Fans, management, or Kobe) will be happy if Mitch waste's Kobe's last window of opportunity by not surrounding him with as good as talent as possible. They will not "wait" for LeBron. Besides Asik's contract could help with a sign and trade they always seem to pull out of their asses.

 

[Denny Crane]

I honestly do not see Asik as C of a championship caliber team, unless that team has LeBron and Wade on it.

The guy is turnover prone and a terrible free throw shooter. You wouldn't want him on the court at the end of close games, except as a defensive substitution. He might grab an offensive rebound but lose it out of bounds. You don't want to pass to him much or see the ball end up out of bounds. He'd be the first guy you'd want to foul when you must foul someone.

For all his rebounding in few minutes, his PER is a modest 14.9.

I think I'd rather go after their backup, Greg Smith.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I honestly do not see Asik as C of a championship caliber team

Yeah, he's no Luc Longley.

 

[Denny Crane]

Yeah, he's no Luc Longley.

Longley was on a team with a LeBron and Wade kind of combo.

He could also make a shot from more than 3ft from the basket, make free throws, and was a terrific passer.

Kukoc played a lot at C as well.

 

[Boise Blazer]

It really does make you wonder though, if we take the next step as a team next but Myers is our glaring weakness defensively are we going to get impatient and give up on him in lieu of making a push for a playoff run. There could be a fine line there. Or not.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

I honestly do not see Asik as C of a championship caliber team, unless that team has LeBron and Wade on it.

The guy is turnover prone and a terrible free throw shooter. You wouldn't want him on the court at the end of close games, except as a defensive substitution. He might grab an offensive rebound but lose it out of bounds. You don't want to pass to him much or see the ball end up out of bounds. He'd be the first guy you'd want to foul when you must foul someone.

For all his rebounding in few minutes, his PER is a modest 14.9.

I think I'd rather go after their backup, Greg Smith.

This is all I need to want to stay away.

 

[Pinwheel1]

This is all I need to want to stay away.

Unfortunately that description describes a lot of centers in this league. McGee comes to mind. (Sorry Mags)

I think we are destined for a stop gap next year with an old Vet.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

Unfortunately that description describes a lot of centers in this league. McGee comes to mind. (Sorry Mags)

I think we are destined for a stop gap next year with an old Vet.

I'd be happier with Dalembert (for the right contract).

 

[Pinwheel1]

I'd be happier with Dalembert (for the right contract).

Yeah at 32 he is one of the older Vets I was thinking about. His low BB IQ bothers me but he wants to play. And Portland has available minutes. JO has looked good as late, but his health history would be scary.