Asik trade rumors (deal reportedly off)

[j804]

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/writer/...-real-deadline

After backing out of trade talks for Omer Asik on Thursday, the Rockets are faced with the same dilemma they had before: Two months to trade their unhappy center.

So, nothing really changed except that Thursday's self-imposed deadline to satisfy the Turkish big man's trade request wasn't much of a deadline.

And the teams Houston was dealing with knew it.

League sources say Asik's new agent, Arn Tellem of Wasserman Media Group, left Houston Thursday morning after efforts to get his client routed to greener pastures -- Boston, for example -- did not come to fruition. Houston GM Daryl Morey's desire to move Asik by Thursday so he could subsequently repackage any players involved before the Feb. 20 trade deadline did not outweigh the paucity of unattractive deals on the table.

Rival executives were dubious from the beginning of a scenario that would've sent Asik to Boston for Brandon Bass, Courtney Lee and a first-round pick. Bass and Lee are two contracts that Celtics GM Danny Ainge is trying to unload, and league sources say he'd probably have to give up a draft pick to find a taker for Lee, anyway. So a deal that would also shed Bass and bring in Asik, a defensive center who is only 27, would be "a great deal for them," one executive said.

If that was the deal Morey wanted, it would've been done already. Clearly, it wasn't. One person familiar with Morey's thinking said the Houston GM did not covet Bass or Lee, and likely only considered such a deal if he could have flipped one or both of them in future deals. Of course, A) he couldn't do that unless he acquired them by Thursday under NBA rules, and B) league sources say the market for both players would've been minimal, anyway.

So, having tried to create a market for Asik with this fictitious Thursday deadline -- another mundane negotiating dance being characterized as a "sweepstakes" -- Morey hoped another team would step up with a sweeter offer. Perhaps his old buddy and co-worker, Sixers GM Sam Hinkie, would oblige by offering Thaddeus Young. Maybe Hawks GM Danny Ferry would throw Paul Millsap's name into the mix -- though, if he was bidding against a package of Bass and Lee, it's not clear why he would do that. And evidently, Ferry didn't, because the Rockets would've have ended the talks on Thursday.

Cleveland was volunteered as a potential suitor, except that it wasn't -- not in a deal that would involve Anderson Varejao, the player the Rockets wanted. There was even a "mystery" or "wild-card" team -- oooooh, tell me more -- but that one never came to fruition, either. Let's just say that when that supposed team was identified as the Portland Trail Blazers, I didn't even have to make a phone call to know that it wasn't them.

The truth is, Morey made a valiant effort to do his job -- create a market for a player he has to trade. It's not going to work now -- as of 2:10 p.m. ET on Dec. 19 -- but that doesn't mean it won't work eventually. The simple fact is that there is no such thing as ending trade talks on Dec. 19. There are only two things that end trade talks: 1) a trade, and 2) the trade deadline.

Both scenarios remain in play.

rival execs jealous  of the move forced Morey to get cold feet

[droopdog7]

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/writer/...-real-deadline

After backing out of trade talks for Omer Asik on Thursday, the Rockets are faced with the same dilemma they had before: Two months to trade their unhappy center.

So, nothing really changed except that Thursday's self-imposed deadline to satisfy the Turkish big man's trade request wasn't much of a deadline.

And the teams Houston was dealing with knew it.

League sources say Asik's new agent, Arn Tellem of Wasserman Media Group, left Houston Thursday morning after efforts to get his client routed to greener pastures -- Boston, for example -- did not come to fruition. Houston GM Daryl Morey's desire to move Asik by Thursday so he could subsequently repackage any players involved before the Feb. 20 trade deadline did not outweigh the paucity of unattractive deals on the table.

Rival executives were dubious from the beginning of a scenario that would've sent Asik to Boston for Brandon Bass, Courtney Lee and a first-round pick. Bass and Lee are two contracts that Celtics GM Danny Ainge is trying to unload, and league sources say he'd probably have to give up a draft pick to find a taker for Lee, anyway. So a deal that would also shed Bass and bring in Asik, a defensive center who is only 27, would be "a great deal for them," one executive said.

If that was the deal Morey wanted, it would've been done already. Clearly, it wasn't. One person familiar with Morey's thinking said the Houston GM did not covet Bass or Lee, and likely only considered such a deal if he could have flipped one or both of them in future deals. Of course, A) he couldn't do that unless he acquired them by Thursday under NBA rules, and B) league sources say the market for both players would've been minimal, anyway.

So, having tried to create a market for Asik with this fictitious Thursday deadline -- another mundane negotiating dance being characterized as a "sweepstakes" -- Morey hoped another team would step up with a sweeter offer. Perhaps his old buddy and co-worker, Sixers GM Sam Hinkie, would oblige by offering Thaddeus Young. Maybe Hawks GM Danny Ferry would throw Paul Millsap's name into the mix -- though, if he was bidding against a package of Bass and Lee, it's not clear why he would do that. And evidently, Ferry didn't, because the Rockets would've have ended the talks on Thursday.

Cleveland was volunteered as a potential suitor, except that it wasn't -- not in a deal that would involve Anderson Varejao, the player the Rockets wanted. There was even a "mystery" or "wild-card" team -- oooooh, tell me more -- but that one never came to fruition, either. Let's just say that when that supposed team was identified as the Portland Trail Blazers, I didn't even have to make a phone call to know that it wasn't them.

The truth is, Morey made a valiant effort to do his job -- create a market for a player he has to trade. It's not going to work now -- as of 2:10 p.m. ET on Dec. 19 -- but that doesn't mean it won't work eventually. The simple fact is that there is no such thing as ending trade talks on Dec. 19. There are only two things that end trade talks: 1) a trade, and 2) the trade deadline.

Both scenarios remain in play.

Like I've been saying, this deal would have been so ridiculously on-sided that no way would it ever happen.

Basically, fans should ask themsleves one question with regard to trades.  If you are jumping at the chance to do it, then most likely it is lopsided.  Fans never want to give up any value to get value.

[CelticG1]

Well, like I said yesterday.  Houston would rather let Asik rot on the bench than trade him for a package like Bass and Lee.  They might be desperate, but they are not stupid.

Would be ridiculously stupid to keep Asik out of stubberness especially if they are looking to contend.

Houston has absolutely no leverage here. They are trading Omer Asik not Howard or Harden. Absolutely no bemefit to keeping him. And agaim its Asik, an average or tick above average center.

I am so content not making that move

[droopdog7]

Well, like I said yesterday.  Houston would rather let Asik rot on the bench than trade him for a package like Bass and Lee.  They might be desperate, but they are not stupid.

Would be ridiculously stupid to keep Asik out of stubberness especially if they are looking to contend.

Houston has absolutely no leverage here. They are trading Omer Asik not Howard or Harden. Absolutely no bemefit to keeping him. And agaim its Asik, an average or tick above average center.

I am so content not making that move

I agree, keeping Asik out of stubborness would be stupid.  I just think that trading Asik for a package centered around Bass and Lee (two guys DA would dump for nothing (or a bag of chips), would be even stupider.

[PhoSita]

It's a bit concerning that the market for Lee and Bass seems to be so tepid.  I know they're undersized role players getting paid very well for what they do, but hopefully Ainge won't have to actually give up a pick just to move either of them.

[LooseCannon]

If Morey really wants a 2014 pick and Ainge is reluctant to give it up, maybe by February, the value of that Nets/Hawks pick will be more discernible and Ainge will be more willing to trade it (or to ask for more back).

Asik is a top ten center and I wouldn't laugh at someone who valued him as a top five center in the NBA.

[merkins]

Not that I would favor this but I wonder if Hump (power forward/expiring contract) and picks would have gotten it done.

[droopdog7]

It's a bit concerning that the market for Lee and Bass seems to be so tepid.  I know they're undersized role players getting paid very well for what they do, but hopefully Ainge won't have to actually give up a pick just to move either of them.

I think think DA would have to give up a pick to dump Lee.  But I don't think he would do it.  As for Bass, I think DA would happily trade him for a warm body with an expiring contract (and nothing more).  I am not sure he would get that deal.

So yeah, if you think these two have much of any value, then you might be disappointed.

[kozlodoev]

Well, like I said yesterday.  Houston would rather let Asik rot on the bench than trade him for a package like Bass and Lee.  They might be desperate, but they are not stupid.

Would be ridiculously stupid to keep Asik out of stubberness especially if they are looking to contend.

Houston has absolutely no leverage here. They are trading Omer Asik not Howard or Harden. Absolutely no bemefit to keeping him. And agaim its Asik, an average or tick above average center.

I am so content not making that move

I agree, keeping Asik out of stubborness would be stupid.  I just think that trading Asik for a package centered around Bass and Lee (two guys DA would dump for nothing (or a bag of chips), would be even stupider.

That's not going to happen. It it were true, Ainge would have done it by now.

[droopdog7]

Well, like I said yesterday.  Houston would rather let Asik rot on the bench than trade him for a package like Bass and Lee.  They might be desperate, but they are not stupid.

Would be ridiculously stupid to keep Asik out of stubberness especially if they are looking to contend.

Houston has absolutely no leverage here. They are trading Omer Asik not Howard or Harden. Absolutely no bemefit to keeping him. And agaim its Asik, an average or tick above average center.

I am so content not making that move

I agree, keeping Asik out of stubborness would be stupid.  I just think that trading Asik for a package centered around Bass and Lee (two guys DA would dump for nothing (or a bag of chips), would be even stupider.

That's not going to happen. It it were true, Ainge would have done it by now.

What I mean is, DA would love to unload their contracts (by acquiring expiring contracts).  And he hasn't done it, because they may not be worth that much to other teams.

[sofutomygaha]

Asik is a top ten center and I wouldn't laugh at someone who valued him as a top five center in the NBA.

Slot him in there for me- where do you see him?

1. Howard
2. Hibbert
3. Chandler
4. M. Gasol
5. Noah
6. B. Lopez
7. Horford
8. Bosh
9. Drummond
10. Bogut
11. Vucevic
12. Jefferson
13. Pekovic
14. P. Gasol
15. Jordan
16. Splitter
17. Hawes
18. Varejao
19. Hill
20. Koufos
21. Valenciunas
22. McGee
...?

[kozlodoev]

Asik is a top ten center and I wouldn't laugh at someone who valued him as a top five center in the NBA.

Slot him in there for me- where do you see him?

1. Howard
2. Hibbert
3. Chandler
4. M. Gasol
5. Noah
6. B. Lopez
7. Horford
8. Bosh
9. Drummond
10. Bogut
11. Vucevic
12. Jefferson
13. Pekovic
14. P. Gasol
15. Jordan
16. Splitter
17. Hawes
18. Varejao
19. Hill
20. Koufos
21. Valenciunas
22. McGee
...?

You put Bogut at the 10 slot?! Paid much attention to the NBA lately?

[PhoSita]

Asik is a top ten center and I wouldn't laugh at someone who valued him as a top five center in the NBA.

Slot him in there for me- where do you see him?

1. Howard
2. Hibbert
3. Chandler
4. M. Gasol
5. Noah
6. B. Lopez
7. Horford
8. Bosh
9. Drummond

----

I think this is the point where it begins to be debatable.

10. Bogut
11. Vucevic
12. Jefferson
13. Pekovic
14. P. Gasol
15. Jordan
16. Splitter
17. Hawes
18. Varejao

----

This is the point where I'm sure.  I'd take Asik over the players listed below.

19. Hill
20. Koufos
21. Valenciunas
22. McGee
...?

[PhoSita]

You put Bogut at the 10 slot?! Paid much attention to the NBA lately?

Had a similar reaction  myself.

Also don't really understand the love for Vucevic or Jordan Hill.

[pearljammer10]

Asik is a top ten center and I wouldn't laugh at someone who valued him as a top five center in the NBA.

Slot him in there for me- where do you see him?

1. Howard
2. Hibbert
3. Chandler
4. M. Gasol
5. Noah
6. B. Lopez
7. Horford
8. Bosh
9. Drummond
10. Bogut
11. Vucevic
12. Jefferson
13. Pekovic
14. P. Gasol
15. Jordan
16. Splitter
17. Hawes
18. Varejao
19. Hill
20. Koufos
21. Valenciunas
22. McGee
...?

Wow. That's an impressive list.