[sammybuckeye13Participant]

But he is WAY overvalued and the Rockets are asking too much for him. The five names summoned by Kevin Pelton in his Potential Asik Trades article were Ryan Anderson, Ilyasova, Millsap, Thaddeus and Jeff Green.

The Rockets are asking a lot for Asik, but what can you really expect in return for a 27-year old center with only one year as a starter under his belt, barely more than 1,000 points in his career and a deplorable attitude? Oh, and he’ll cost you $20 million over the next two years, with $5M of that coming this season and a ludicrous $15M coming his way in 2014-15. How grateful must Dwight be deemed the second most troublesome big man on the team; Asik stopped practicing and dressing for games upon losing his starting job, an infantile stunt that’s sealed his fate in Houston. The Rockets ideal low block replacements, presumably entering-their-prime power forwards Ryan Anderson and Thaddeus Young, are considerably more valuable talents and could attract a superstar or a decent first-round pick in the right package. Asik is a formidable defender but also the weakest of the league’s many low-scoring starting centers (10.1 PPG), meaning he must have a Tyson Chandler type impact, and that is not likely to happen. 

He certainly wasn’t a revelation in Houston. Asik is an excellent paint defender, brutal and consistent, but the Rockets allowed more points per possession with Asik in 2013 than with Samuel Dalembert in 2012, though Kyle Lowry was admittedly a major defensive upgrade over Jeremy Lin; inversely, lot could be said for swapping Harden in for Kevin Martin and Chandler Parson’ maturation.

The state of the center position in the NBA is much different than it was in the summer of 2012, when Asik was given a 3-year/$25M contract despite having started just two games in two seasons with the Bulls. Every team either has either a long-term solution at center, a shot at a high draft pick or intends to contend and has no need, nor salary cap space to accommodate Asik.

Still, Asik and the Rockets will probably have their respective wishes granted. Ryan Anderson led the league in threes his first year as a Hornet, finished second in the department in 2012-13, rebounds well and most importantly, has experience playing alongside Howard. Acquiring a sturdy, defensive-minded center would allow the Hornets to move Anthony Davis to PF and launch into league’s upper crust of defenses. With Holiday, Gordon, Evans and Davis generating offense from all angles, Asik could slide comfortably into a fat leadership role in the paint. In this sport the 7-footer’s reign is towering as ever.

 

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

I agree that Ryan Anderson has much more value than Asik especially for the Pelicans and the way that team is assembled. Jeff Green is the same age as Asik so it’s not as if the Celtics would be getting younger, and Thaddeus Young is two years younger than Asik and Hawes is having a great year for the 6ers with Noel coming next year so that wouldn’t make sense either.

If the Rockets are looking for a stretch big man they should try to move Asik to somehow get Channing Frye and maybe another piece back from the Suns.

Possible three way deal.

Portland gets: Asik
Suns get Meyers Leonard T-Rob (for money purposes and would be hilarious to reunite the 2011 Kansas front court)
Rockets get Frye.

Ehh maybe the Rockets could get more, just brain storming.

[B-ball fanParticipant]

 I like that deal, actually.  I think the Rockets would be happy with that deal.  Frye has struggled so far this year, but he is coming off a missed season and should improve.  And Portland probably improves.

My biggest concern would be that Frye may be more valuable to the Suns to Robinson and that Leonard would simply be redundant with the Suns abundance of young centers.  T-Rob would have to work to beat out Marcus Morris to become Markieff Morris’ back-up if this trade went down.  If Frye gets back to the form he showed before he took last year off, he is more valuable to the Suns than a couple raw young bigs, as the Suns already have enough young players.

[B-ball fanParticipant]

 I like that deal, actually.  I think the Rockets would be happy with that deal.  Frye has struggled so far this year, but he is coming off a missed season and should improve.  And Portland probably improves.

My biggest concern would be that Frye may be more valuable to the Suns to Robinson and that Leonard would simply be redundant with the Suns abundance of young centers.  T-Rob would have to work to beat out Marcus Morris to become Markieff Morris’ back-up if this trade went down.  If Frye gets back to the form he showed before he took last year off, he is more valuable to the Suns than a couple raw young bigs, as the Suns already have enough young players.

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

I agree that Ryan Anderson has much more value than Asik especially for the Pelicans and the way that team is assembled. Jeff Green is the same age as Asik so it’s not as if the Celtics would be getting younger, and Thaddeus Young is two years younger than Asik and Hawes is having a great year for the 6ers with Noel coming next year so that wouldn’t make sense either.

If the Rockets are looking for a stretch big man they should try to move Asik to somehow get Channing Frye and maybe another piece back from the Suns.

Possible three way deal.

Portland gets: Asik
Suns get Meyers Leonard T-Rob (for money purposes and would be hilarious to reunite the 2011 Kansas front court)
Rockets get Frye.

Ehh maybe the Rockets could get more, just brain storming.

[SiggyParticipant]

Asik will be owed 15 mill but he will still only count as 8.4 mill towards the salary cap in his final yr.  The 8.4 figure is the only one that matters unless you’re the owner cutting the check.

[SiggyParticipant]

Asik will be owed 15 mill but he will still only count as 8.4 mill towards the salary cap in his final yr.  The 8.4 figure is the only one that matters unless you’re the owner cutting the check.

[Moon RiverParticipant]

"Deplorable attitude"?  Is that true, or just stemming from his demand to be traded?

He was a good teammate in Chicago and no one had issues with him.  In fact everyone seemed to like the "Turkish Delight" or "Asik and Destroy." (thank you Stacy King).

 

[Moon RiverParticipant]

"Deplorable attitude"?  Is that true, or just stemming from his demand to be traded?

He was a good teammate in Chicago and no one had issues with him.  In fact everyone seemed to like the "Turkish Delight" or "Asik and Destroy." (thank you Stacy King).

 

[KHAM83Participant]

 I think Asik for Frye and Plumlee would work. PHX will have Asik for another year while Len gets adjusted to the game. Houston gets that stretch four, although Terrance Jones is balling, but I like Frye over Monte. They also get Plumlee who’ll be a great backup.

I think Portland would love Asik, but I think Phx will prefer Asik for now as well I doubt Houston would want to send Asik to a contender. Him added to Portland makes them a better team than the rockets imo.

 

 

[KHAM83Participant]

 I think Asik for Frye and Plumlee would work. PHX will have Asik for another year while Len gets adjusted to the game. Houston gets that stretch four, although Terrance Jones is balling, but I like Frye over Monte. They also get Plumlee who’ll be a great backup.

I think Portland would love Asik, but I think Phx will prefer Asik for now as well I doubt Houston would want to send Asik to a contender. Him added to Portland makes them a better team than the rockets imo.

 

 

[domeico7Participant]

 Sammybuckeye, wow man you are actually being even more unfair to Asik then the Rockets organization. Omer is a silent guy with a lot of heart, he gives everything he has and he may have the lowest ppg for starting centers but he is top 5 defensively. Anyway, Rockets should just get the best deal and let him leave. He is a starting caliber center and knows that he deserves more then 6 mins a game. AND, this is coming from a Rockets fan.(sort of)

[domeico7Participant]

 Sammybuckeye, wow man you are actually being even more unfair to Asik then the Rockets organization. Omer is a silent guy with a lot of heart, he gives everything he has and he may have the lowest ppg for starting centers but he is top 5 defensively. Anyway, Rockets should just get the best deal and let him leave. He is a starting caliber center and knows that he deserves more then 6 mins a game. AND, this is coming from a Rockets fan.(sort of)

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

I agree Suns might want Asik more, but Suns clearly don’t know what’s good for them in taking Alex Len with the 5th overall pick. I personally want to see Leonard on the Suns, I’m a Suns fan and at 21 he has much more upside than Asik at 27 considering the Suns franchise player isn’t even on the team yet, more over not in the NBA yet, so developing youth should be the priority.

I also want to see Asik in Portland to help keep Aldridge there, though they are winning at this point with Lopez at center.

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

I agree Suns might want Asik more, but Suns clearly don’t know what’s good for them in taking Alex Len with the 5th overall pick. I personally want to see Leonard on the Suns, I’m a Suns fan and at 21 he has much more upside than Asik at 27 considering the Suns franchise player isn’t even on the team yet, more over not in the NBA yet, so developing youth should be the priority.

I also want to see Asik in Portland to help keep Aldridge there, though they are winning at this point with Lopez at center.

[ItsRainingNegsParticipant]

 Asik is a hell of a center in my opinion. For a guy that is a huge plus defensively he looks comfortable on offense and, because of the lack of offensive centers in the league, you can argue he’s a legitimate two way player. Jeff Green won’t happen but, as good as Anderson is 3pt wise, Asik is worth it. Can’t wait to see him starting again. 

[ItsRainingNegsParticipant]

 Asik is a hell of a center in my opinion. For a guy that is a huge plus defensively he looks comfortable on offense and, because of the lack of offensive centers in the league, you can argue he’s a legitimate two way player. Jeff Green won’t happen but, as good as Anderson is 3pt wise, Asik is worth it. Can’t wait to see him starting again. 

[220Participant]

Considering Kevin McHale’s woeful rotations I don’t blame Asik for wanting out once he went to the bench. Terrance Jones has been great since being named a starter, but the crazy thing is that he wasn’t even in the lineup prior to that. It’s insane that Jones is playing this well now, but he could barely get on the court before. Asik’s minutes dwindled almost completely after his demotion while the consensus is Asik would be a key rotation player for basically every team in the league.

[220Participant]

Considering Kevin McHale’s woeful rotations I don’t blame Asik for wanting out once he went to the bench. Terrance Jones has been great since being named a starter, but the crazy thing is that he wasn’t even in the lineup prior to that. It’s insane that Jones is playing this well now, but he could barely get on the court before. Asik’s minutes dwindled almost completely after his demotion while the consensus is Asik would be a key rotation player for basically every team in the league.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

I think you’re underrating Omer Asik.

He’s one of few centers that can guard any center in the L one-on-one.  You can throw him on Howard, Gasol, Jefferson, Hibbert, Lopez, any center, one-on-one and you don’t need to worry about that matchup for the rest of the night.  

He’s a walking double-double while providing terrific man to man defense.  There aren’t a lot of players in the L like him, he’s old school.

If he takes 2 shots, he’s still giving 110% effort.  If he’s taking 15 shots, he’s giving 110% effort.  

He’s a work horse.

Also, he is 27, which means he’s in his prime, and for a big man that does not rely on athleticism, that means his defense will stay as good as it is now until he’s 32-34.  Way past his athletic prime.

Nobody will have to pay him $20mil to have him on their team.  If he’s traded at the deadline, about $5mil is already paid for by the Rockets and he’d only be owed 8.4 on the salary cap.  Meaning you’re paying him about $13mil.  Significantly less than your ridiculous number at $20mil.

And to be honest, Asik is a better player than Anderson.  Anderson is a complimentary player while Asik is a defensive anchor.  The type of player that can win a title at the starting C spot.  If you had to build your team from scratch and were given the choice between a shooter and a defensive anchor, you would go with Asik 10/10.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

I think you’re underrating Omer Asik.

He’s one of few centers that can guard any center in the L one-on-one.  You can throw him on Howard, Gasol, Jefferson, Hibbert, Lopez, any center, one-on-one and you don’t need to worry about that matchup for the rest of the night.  

He’s a walking double-double while providing terrific man to man defense.  There aren’t a lot of players in the L like him, he’s old school.

If he takes 2 shots, he’s still giving 110% effort.  If he’s taking 15 shots, he’s giving 110% effort.  

He’s a work horse.

Also, he is 27, which means he’s in his prime, and for a big man that does not rely on athleticism, that means his defense will stay as good as it is now until he’s 32-34.  Way past his athletic prime.

Nobody will have to pay him $20mil to have him on their team.  If he’s traded at the deadline, about $5mil is already paid for by the Rockets and he’d only be owed 8.4 on the salary cap.  Meaning you’re paying him about $13mil.  Significantly less than your ridiculous number at $20mil.

And to be honest, Asik is a better player than Anderson.  Anderson is a complimentary player while Asik is a defensive anchor.  The type of player that can win a title at the starting C spot.  If you had to build your team from scratch and were given the choice between a shooter and a defensive anchor, you would go with Asik 10/10.

[The Scare Crow RisesParticipant]

Is he good defender, Sure!!!

Can he score a basket on his own or hit clutch free throws??? No!!!

No way am I’m a GM and I think Asik is worth the 13 million you claim he’s owed…

Spencer Hawes is half the defender Asik is but at least he can score in the post, pass out the post, set a proper screen and hit the open jump shot if the defender stays with the ball handler, he rebounds the ball and blocks his fair share of shots on defense, Hawes is just miles ahead of Asik on offense and only makes half of what Asik does contractually…

If I were the Rockets I’d want to get rid of Asik asap because he doesn’t bring anything to tale Dwight Howard can’t provide, yes he is a good post defender, but he’s also the highest paid backup in The League, one who can’t shoot the ball or score in the lane when called upon, don’t bring up meaningless stats, He doesn’t pass the eye ball test…

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

Did Perkins have to score a basket or hit clutch free throws?  No.

Did Fabricio Oberto?  No.

Ben Wallace?  Nesterovic?  No. 

But they’ve won titles playing next to the right power forward.  If you pair a strong defender next to a skilled power forward, you’re in contention to win a title. (With the right pieces of course)  Anthony Davis is a very skilled power forward and will be for years to come.

When’s the last time a team won a title with a shooter at the 5 spot?  Yeah, exactly.  Defense wins titles, and when you have a defensive rock like Asik, your team is better because he doesn’t need the ball in the final minutes, he’s going to do all of the dirty work throughout the course of the game.

Sure, Hawes is miles ahead of Asik on offense, to be honest, I don’t know how Hawes became part of this conversation.  But regardless, do you honestly think you have a better shot to win a title with Hawes as your starting center than Asik?  Especially in the East with Hibbert, Lopez, Horford and Noah?

Defense wins titles, not a center hitting 3s.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

Did Perkins have to score a basket or hit clutch free throws?  No.

Did Fabricio Oberto?  No.

Ben Wallace?  Nesterovic?  No. 

But they’ve won titles playing next to the right power forward.  If you pair a strong defender next to a skilled power forward, you’re in contention to win a title. (With the right pieces of course)  Anthony Davis is a very skilled power forward and will be for years to come.

When’s the last time a team won a title with a shooter at the 5 spot?  Yeah, exactly.  Defense wins titles, and when you have a defensive rock like Asik, your team is better because he doesn’t need the ball in the final minutes, he’s going to do all of the dirty work throughout the course of the game.

Sure, Hawes is miles ahead of Asik on offense, to be honest, I don’t know how Hawes became part of this conversation.  But regardless, do you honestly think you have a better shot to win a title with Hawes as your starting center than Asik?  Especially in the East with Hibbert, Lopez, Horford and Noah?

Defense wins titles, not a center hitting 3s.

[The Scare Crow RisesParticipant]

Is he good defender, Sure!!!

Can he score a basket on his own or hit clutch free throws??? No!!!

No way am I’m a GM and I think Asik is worth the 13 million you claim he’s owed…

Spencer Hawes is half the defender Asik is but at least he can score in the post, pass out the post, set a proper screen and hit the open jump shot if the defender stays with the ball handler, he rebounds the ball and blocks his fair share of shots on defense, Hawes is just miles ahead of Asik on offense and only makes half of what Asik does contractually…

If I were the Rockets I’d want to get rid of Asik asap because he doesn’t bring anything to tale Dwight Howard can’t provide, yes he is a good post defender, but he’s also the highest paid backup in The League, one who can’t shoot the ball or score in the lane when called upon, don’t bring up meaningless stats, He doesn’t pass the eye ball test…

[Author]

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