Asik trade rumors (deal reportedly off)

[sed522002]

Multiple sources confirmed that an offer of Brandon Bass, Courtney Lee and a first-round draft pick — protected, at that — was indeed made by the Celts ... last week. When it was summarily turned down by the Rockets, the matter was closed and remained such as of late today.

And in a separate issue, as regards Rajon Rondo, matters have yet to be opened. Several sources are now insisting that the Celtics have grown even more committed to seeing how well the Rondo-Brad Stevens combination, already in harmony off the court, performs in games.

The Celtics were one of the teams that sought to be involved when Asik became available, but, according to an executive from another club, Danny Ainge has set the price he’s willing to pay and isn’t interested in overspending.

“Why should he?” said the source. “He’s holding a lot of cards. He has some decent players and a lot of first round draft picks. And that team isn’t going anywhere this year, so what’s his rush?”

According to a source from a team that has been involved in the process and dropped out, the next move would have to come from the Rockets.

“It’s kind of funny how things that have been dead for a while keep coming up,” he said. “The only way I can see anything happening is if Daryl (Morey, the Houston GM) decides he wants something that he’s already said no to.

http://bostonherald.com/sports/celtics_nba/boston_celtics/2013/12/celtics_rockets_trade_talks_not_so_hot

We shall see.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

oh well, time to move on then.

[moiso]

Obviously someone rejected the deal or the deal would be done.  That's not news.

[droopdog7]

I would have eaten my hat if the rockets accepted such a deal.  Bass and lee are nothing with two and three year contracts.  Cannot believe this deal was ever taken seriously by the rockets.

[droopdog7]

If Houston traded Asik for bass and lee, they would be laughed out of the nba.

[celticslove]

oh well... moving on

[lon3lytoaster]

At this point they almost have to trade for something they already said no to. After tomorrow whatever they get won't have any future trade viability.

Dwindling options.

[csfansince60s]

Atta boy, Danny.

Like Asik, but not for an unprotected 2014 first.

Good luck, Morey. If they were gonna get Milsap, it woulda happened by now.

[droopdog7]

At this point they almost have to trade for something they already said no to. After tomorrow whatever they get won't have any future trade viability.

Dwindling options.

I think if they saw any value in trade options, a deal would have been done.  As it were, the rumored package is close to zero trade value in my book.  As difficult as it may be, the rockets are not making that trade.  They would be foolish.

[beklog]

Oh look another Asik trade
can we just merged all Asik stuffs in one thread... so it's easier to read/reply

[obnoxiousmime]

I guess Morey was just using the Ainge offer as a bluff to other teams. The C's seemed to oblige them by not denying the rumors so loudly, though the Herald writers have been consistent in their downplaying of this potential deal.

The trade was too good to be true all along. The part that didn't make sense was that Houston would never want Lee's contract.

Millsap is still probably their top target, but Atlanta doesn't look to be budging.

[PhoSita]

This makes a lot more sense.

Asik's trade value would really have to have taken a dive if Bass and Lee is the best package the Rockets could get in return for him.

Kind of a relief.  Acquiring Asik would seem to signal that the team is content to be solidly middle of the road.

[PhoSita]

Atta boy, Danny.

Like Asik, but not for an unprotected 2014 first.

Good luck, Morey. If they were gonna get Milsap, it woulda happened by now.

Yup.

[BballTim]

On the '14 pick vs. '15 pick -- a little bit of bad injury luck and the Celtics could easily be a lottery team even with Asik.

Bad idea to trade away our pick for this  year when it's still December.

  It might not be too bad to offer them the worse of the two picks.

  Not for nothing, but this is why draft picks are fairly valuable. The chance that the pick will be better than expected.

Right.  It's why I'm very reluctant as a general rule to trade 1st round picks.  Especially when the team really needs young, cost-controlled talent with upside.

It's hard enough for me to get on board with trading a 1st of any description for a 27 year old role player like Asik -- however good he may be at the role he does play.

Bad idea in my opinion to "sweeten" a trade package like this with a 1st of your own unless your team is so good that you're assured of it being in the 20s and the player you're getting back is a guy you plan on keeping long term.

This Asik deal seems like a sell-high / buy-low thing to me.  Sell high on Bass, buy low on Asik and then flip him later.  That's a nice enough idea, if that's what Danny is going for.  But trading away our own pick in a rebuilding year (yes, it still is even with Asik) is too high a price for that.

  A role player who's among the best in the league at two valuable skills. Since we're playing Detroit, compare Asik last year to Drummond this year:

 http://bkref.com/tiny/aNta6

  Obviously Drummond scores more and is quite a bit younger (with a higher ceiling) but considering Asik's defense I don't think a draft pick is too steep (especially if they take Lee and his salary).

If the plan is to try and win right away with Rondo / Bradley / Green / Sullinger / Asik, then it would make some sense.

Asik could make this defense elite, if he can play 30+ minutes a night.

But if they choose to pay him and Bradley beyond this season and next, that's pretty much all of the cap tied up in those players.

  I would guess the plan might be to go with that lineup with an eye on upgrading one of those spots, likely a wing. It wouldn't surprise me to see one of the starters traded in that situation. So hopefully they'd tie up the cap in 4 of those players and a star.

[gar]

Maybe Asik is better than Bass or Lee but not by much. The Pick is what this is all about Houston wants it. That pick could be someone more valuable than Asik (who was taken in the second round). So if the one who gets be best player wins the trade, I say it is not a slam dunk by any means. Just a step in the rebuilding process.