Source: Blazers Identified As 'Wild Card' For Omer Asik

[magnifier661]

Speaking of wild cards . . . . how would Lamar Odom fit into the Blazer chemistry lab?

About as healthy as the crack he smokes

 

[The_Lillard_King]

About as healthy as the crack he smokes

Clean and sober . . . 53 days.

 

[magnifier661]

Clean and sober . . . 53 days.

Smoked then...

 

[rasheedfan2005]

So if he did make that trade, would you still think he's the "shit"?

I trust him to do what's right, he knows better than any message board scrub. Meanwhile I think Freeland has earned respect and shouldn't be thrown to the wolves for whiney bitches like asik.

 

[Natebishop3]

If we are truly the "wild card," I take that to mean that Olshey has told Morey we will send him Freeland, Claver, Barton in case everything else falls through. That sounds exactly like an Olshey move. Hey man, if you can't find anything else, we'll make a trade with ya. I doubt Olshey has offered anything significant for Asik.

I do, however, think that Olshey sees the writing on the wall. He sees that we're #1 in the entire NBA, he sees how amazing our starting unit is, AND he sees how horrible our bench is. Neil admitted that he wished he had done something last season to help out our guys, and I have to wonder if he doesn't see that our bench is under-performing.

 

[magnifier661]

I trust him to do what's right, he knows better than any message board scrub. Meanwhile I think Freeland has earned respect and shouldn't be thrown to the wolves for whiney bitches like asik.

I don't know how I feel about Asik. It's actually mixed for me. But Hawes is a no brainer. He would be a perfect bench player.

I trust Olshey as well. I don't think he would do anything unless he is 100% confident it will help our team.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Clean and sober . . . 53 days.

It's going to take much longer than 53 days to become clean after a few years of sleeping with a Kardashian. That's dirtier than some of the skanks he was bagging on on the side.

Just sayin'.

 

[OregonHuskerMan]

Freeland we.t from scrub to dependable beast in 1 summer. He's improving every night and not making major mistakes. We still have 50some games to play, he can easily improve as he's shown. His ceiling is too high right now. I'm tired of everyone playing NBA2k14 fantasy trades. Our gm is the shit and he will do what is right, our fans don't need to send bad vibes to guys who are earning their keep.

Bad vibes??

Lol trading a worse player for a better player is not "bad vibes". It's good business.

You're telling me you wouldn't trade Freeland for the 12th best center in the league according to PER ratings? That's just idiotic.

 

[Natebishop3]

I don't know how I feel about Asik. It's actually mixed for me. But Hawes is a no brainer. He would be a perfect bench player.

I trust Olshey as well. I don't think he would do anything unless he is 100% confident it will help our team.

We need interior defense.... but I don't think we have the minutes to keep him happy. How many minutes a game does Freeland play?

ROLO ain't goin to the bench!

 

[Samuel]

If we are truly the "wild card," I take that to mean that Olshey has told Morey we will send him Freeland, Claver, Barton in case everything else falls through. That sounds exactly like an Olshey move. Hey man, if you can't find anything else, we'll make a trade with ya. I doubt Olshey has offered anything significant for Asik.

I do, however, think that Olshey sees the writing on the wall. He sees that we're #1 in the entire NBA, he sees how amazing our starting unit is, AND he sees how horrible our bench is. Neil admitted that he wished he had done something last season to help out our guys, and I have to wonder if he doesn't see that our bench is under-performing.

While I agree with you, it's so hard to really judge the bench without CJ in the mix.

That said, if you can trade scraps for another piece, you do it. Plus, the clock is ticking on the Randle/Wiggins motive.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

I dont want him. I think he's over rated and dont want that big $15 million contract he gets next season.

 

[magnifier661]

If we are truly the "wild card," I take that to mean that Olshey has told Morey we will send him Freeland, Claver, Barton in case everything else falls through. That sounds exactly like an Olshey move. Hey man, if you can't find anything else, we'll make a trade with ya. I doubt Olshey has offered anything significant for Asik.

I do, however, think that Olshey sees the writing on the wall. He sees that we're #1 in the entire NBA, he sees how amazing our starting unit is, AND he sees how horrible our bench is. Neil admitted that he wished he had done something last season to help out our guys, and I have to wonder if he doesn't see that our bench is under-performing.

I do believe Olshey is concerned with the bench, but I'm almost certain he wants to see what CJ coming in will do for this team first. Now if there is a deal too good to pass up, I believe he jumps.

Olshey has until trade deadline to find a bench if he is in "win now" mode. It's wise to see what we have to work with first.

 

[OregonHuskerMan]

Steve Bulpett @SteveBHoop now
With caveat that things could change with one received call, sources inside and out assure all is quiet on Celtic front.

 

[HailBlazers]

Another thing many people may not think about, Asik just switched to a new agent. His new agent is the same agent for Aldridge AND Lopez and according to Olshey at the Lopez press conference, he was instrumental in getting Lopez to Portland

Very interesting, guess that's why we're the Wild Card.

 

[Natebishop3]

I dont want him. I think he's over rated and dont want that big $15 million contract he gets next season.

His stats last year were pretty amazing, BUT I think Rolo is the perfect center for our offense. Asik wouldn't solve our offensive woes off the bench.

 

[Blazinaway]

Bad vibes??

Lol trading a worse player for a better player is not "bad vibes". It's good business.

You're telling me you wouldn't trade Freeland for the 12th best center in the league according to PER ratings? That's just idiotic.

totally agree

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Why would Houston want Asik go to Ptd when we could potentially knock them out of the playoffs? They would be crazy to have Asik end up with OKC, Ptd or SA? Really any team they may meet in the playoffs. it would make for good drama though, Asik guarding Howard in the playoffs . . .

 

[Samuel]

Very interesting, guess that's why we're the Wild Card.

I'd chalk it up to market-making. I doubt Olshey is involved unless he's angling to be the third team.

 

[Natebishop3]

I do believe Olshey is concerned with the bench, but I'm almost certain he wants to see what CJ coming in will do for this team first. Now if there is a deal too good to pass up, I believe he jumps.

Olshey has until trade deadline to find a bench if he is in "win now" mode. It's wise to see what we have to work with first.

It would not surprise me in the least if Neil is trying to hone in on the Asik trade. I can't remember where I heard it, I think it was on the BS report, where they said that Houston could turn around and trade whoever they get for Asik. Would you be surprised in the least if Portland was somehow involved in a three-team trade?

 

[magnifier661]

Very interesting, guess that's why we're the Wild Card.

It could mean that Olshey is talking with the agents to see how Asik feels about coming off the bench in Portland. If Asik says "yes", then why not? I mean seriously folks, Asik would be able to average 25-30 minutes a game being our bench big.

 

[Mediocre Man]

It could mean that Olshey is talking with the agents to see how Asik feels about coming off the bench in Portland. If Asik says "yes", then why not? I mean seriously folks, Asik would be able to average 25-30 minutes a game being our bench big.

Totally agree

 

[magnifier661]

It would not surprise me in the least if Neil is trying to hone in on the Asik trade. I can't remember where I heard it, I think it was on the BS report, where they said that Houston could turn around and trade whoever they get for Asik. Would you be surprised in the least if Portland was somehow involved in a three-team trade?

Not at all, especially with the teams involved. They all have players we could really use

 

[Blazinaway]

I'd chalk it up to market-making. I doubt Olshey is involved unless he's angling to be the third team.

yes, it certainly could be Morey droppin rumors to try to up Asik's value - all part of the game

 

[PtldPlatypus]

"Maybe Philly, for instance, is fine with trading Young and Hawes if they get Asik plus Robinson and Leonard, with Hawes going to Portland"

I would love this. I wonder if someone could convince Philly that Leonard and Noel would make a decent frontcourt pairing.

 

[BBert]

All things considered, especially chemistry and cost, I'd rather have Hawes or Varejao coming off our bench. Not that they are available, but since we're throwing out names.

 

[Blazinaway]

All things considered, especially chemistry and cost, I'd rather have Hawes or Varejao. Not that they are available, but since we're throwing out names.

from what I have read Hawes is likely available, they want to TANK and Hawes is UFA

 

[TBpup]

His stats last year were pretty amazing, BUT I think Rolo is the perfect center for our offense. Asik wouldn't solve our offensive woes off the bench.

Absolutely that he wouldn't solve the lack of offensive production off the bench. He might help slow the other team down a bit.

A couple of point, some of which have already been brought up:

• New agent and one that has very good and recent deelings with Olshey
• T-Rob....can he even be included for a year after being traded her from Houston?
• Chemistry - if it is so fragile as to not be able to handle the business side of things, it probably wasn't going to last in tough times anyhow. I think the Blazers are tougher than that so adding a defensive presence would be ok.

I've checked with a couple of sources who had nothing of any specifics to add. Their feeling was NeO just trying to get involved for other assets or in a 3-way. They didn't see how Portland would have the assets to get him straight across either from a young, productive player aspect or draft picks which Portland is very thin on.

Interesting discussion though...

 

[The_Lillard_King]

"Hey Asik, we know you aren't happy backing up Howard, but how about you go to a different team and back up Lopez."

 

[magnifier661]

Totally agree

And I would feel way more comfortable if Lopez (god forbids) goes down and misses 10-15 games. Just pop Asik in the starting rotation and we won't miss

 

[PapaG]

Because Hawes is better . . .

If you can trade lesser players for better ones, you do it.

Not necessarily. Contract status comes into play, too, and Hawes will get over $10m/year as a UFA, IMO. I'd rather keep Ropez at $5m for another year, then make a decision on him or the long-term center solution in summer 2015.