Asik 3 yrs/25M?! That's what 3ppg buys you.

[cman88]

Just think, if Fab Melo turns out to be worthwhile at all, we get to overpay him like this or watch him leave! Yay!

Best-case scenario may be to trade him the way Perkins was traded.

ya, thats when you flip him for the best value..I think thats how you really are going to have to find centers in this league if you dont want to break the bank and throw money away...the cheapest way to get productive players is through the draft

It reminds me of how belichick gets the most out of his draft picks, and when some get to that point where they are going to be overpaid, he flips them...branch,seymour,samuel...might make the fans mad..but you cant argue with the results as the Pats usually are in good cap situation

[Kuberski33]

Looks to me like this new collective bargaining agreement is going to result in a lot of mediocre talent getting seriously overpaid.  There's a report that Portland offered Hibbert a max contract???  It's officially silly season.

[cman88]

I think we are going to look back and see that KG's contract is a BIG discount for what he gives us.

I'm glad we have a GM like Ainge who isnt so desperate where he hands out rediculous contracts to role-players.

it might sting seeing guys like BBD, Perk, powe, Tony allen leave....but in the long-run its for the best, because you dont want your cap tied up in BBD/Perk

[Galeto]

This has no bearing on Stiemsma.  Asik is an elite defensive center and an elite rebounder on both ends.  Stiesmsma is a great shotblocker but a poor rebounder and too often was out of position on defense.  There's no comparision. The guy got pulled for Ryan Hollins, freaking Ryan Hollins, for getting out of position on defense.  Asik is a lot better.

[j804]

It definitely shows you why Danny gambled on Melo in the draft.  Drafting a center is about the only way (outside of gambling on injured or old guys) you'll ever get them on a reasonable contract.

Yup, Danny saw this coming.

It complete explains the drafting of Melo.

Danny looking like a genius right now

[j804]

I think we are going to look back and see that KG's contract is a BIG discount for what he gives us.

I'm glad we have a GM like Ainge who isnt so desperate where he hands out rediculous contracts to role-players.

it might sting seeing guys like BBD, Perk, powe, Tony allen leave....but in the long-run its for the best, because you dont want your cap tied up in BBD/Perk

I agree except for Tony he got away don't think he was asking for a whole lot

[Galeto]

Ainge didn't see this coming because it had already come.  The difficulty of getting quality big guys through anything but the draft isn't a new development.  

[Lord of Mikawa]

It definitely shows you why Danny gambled on Melo in the draft.  Drafting a center is about the only way (outside of gambling on injured or old guys) you'll ever get them on a reasonable contract.

True. Well said Sir Roy.

There's not a lot of solid centers offensive and/or defensive kinds out there that are very solid players, and teams are overpaying.

It makes you wonder what the lockout was about if the teams haven't learned their lesson.

[Galeto]

It definitely shows you why Danny gambled on Melo in the draft.  Drafting a center is about the only way (outside of gambling on injured or old guys) you'll ever get them on a reasonable contract.

True. Well said Sir Roy.

There's not a lot of solid centers offensive and/or defensive kinds out there that are very solid players, and teams are overpaying.

It makes you wonder what the lockout was about if the teams haven't learned their lesson.

The lockout made it possible for teams not to learn their lessons and still make a huge profit every year. 

In this case, I don't mind Asik at all.  He's elite in two areas and has the agility not to be a liability like Perk against speed lineups.  He's got Ben Wallace type skills, good and bad.

[LarBrd33]

Asik's contract will pay him 15 million in year three.  Are you kidding me?  What?

[rickyfan3.0...]

Asik is a good player.

[Galeto]

Asik's contract will pay him 15 million in year three.  Are you kidding me?  What?

Yeah but only 8 million will count against Houston's cap because of stupendously convoluted rules.

[CantBeRight]

Do you know how rare the good center is today?

[celticslove]

Asik is a good player.

but certainly not 15m good.

[Galeto]

Asik is a good player.

but certainly not 15m good.

Does it matter?  It's a tactic to pry him away from Chicago and it doesn't cripple Houston's cap.  If it succeeds and Asik can maintain his elite defense and rebounding over 25 plus minutes a game nightly, then it'd have been worth it.   

Another aspect about this I like is that it's only for three years.  The acquisitions that fail and last for 5 seasons really drag on a team.  If Asik is a bust, at least it won't be for long.