Asik trade rumors (deal reportedly off)

[j804]

Here's is an updated story from Marc Stein at ESPN

The Houston Rockets, as they've been telling teams all month, remain on course to trade disgruntled big man Omer Asik by Thursday, according to sources close to the process.

Numerous teams consulted by ESPN.com in recent days have said they are convinced the Rockets will indeed go ahead with a trade headlined by Asik before their self-imposed deadline of Dec. 19, with sources saying Tuesday that the Boston Celtics are increasingly active in the Asik talks.

As a result, the Celtics now are widely regarded as the strongest rivals to the Philadelphia 76ers in terms of likely destinations for Asik, with many rival executives expecting the final form of a trade built around the 7-footer from Turkey to feature at least three teams.

Sources have described the Atlanta Hawks as Houston's preferred trade partner since the Rockets came to the conclusion last month that, despite their attempts to placate Asik, they eventually would have to give in to the unhappy center's long-running desire to be moved in the wake of Dwight Howard's arrival in July. Yet it remains unclear, sources say, how interested Atlanta really is in parting with coveted forward Paul Millsap -- who's considered an ideal frontcourt complement to Howard -- in exchange for Asik.

Although sources say there has been dialogue between the Rockets and Hawks this week, it's believed that Atlanta officials are lukewarm on Asik and would hold out for more of a two-way player if they're being asked to pay him nearly $15 million next season, which is what the defensive specialist is due to receive in salary in 2014-15, thanks to a balloon payment in his contract that the Rockets inserted during the summer of 2012 to dissuade the Chicago Bulls from matching Houston's offer.

Sources say the $15 million is not a figure that scares off the Sixers or Celtics, which is why those are the two teams most frequently mentioned as landing spots for Asik.

Cleveland is another team that has been frequently linked with Asik the past several days, but sources close to the situation maintain the Cavaliers like the fit of Anderson Varejao in their frontcourt rotation better than Asik and thus are more likely to participate in such a trade as a third-team facilitator rather than as the team that winds up with Asik.

One possible scenario that has emerged, sources say, is a three-way trade in which Boston lands Asik, Cleveland absorbs the contract of Celtics forward Jeff Green and Houston scores no fewer than one of the future first-round picks it covets for surrendering Asik. Other players would have to be involved in such a trade to make the salary-cap math work, but it's the sort of trade that would fall in line with Cleveland's well-known focus on upgrading its options at small forward.

The Cavaliers pursued Green in free agency two summers ago before Green re-signed with Boston and, as ESPN.com reported Sunday , have shown far more interest recently in finding a new small forward than going ahead with the rumored Varejao-for-Asik swap.

There likewise are league sources who have maintained all month that the Rockets' plan to trade Asik by Dec. 19 -- as first reported by ESPN.com on Dec. 6 -- was hatched in part because of general manager Daryl Morey's confidence in being able to strike a deal with Philadelphia, where former Rockets assistant general manager Sam Hinkie is now running the Sixers' front office.

Sources say the prospect of acquiring center Spencer Hawes and at least one future first-round pick would be Houston's aim in a trade with Philadelphia, although it's believed the Rockets and Sixers also would require at least one more team to complete a deal. Hawes not only possesses a cap-friendly expiring contract valued at $6.6 million this season but also has the offensive skills and shooting range -- unlike Asik -- to be able to play alongside Howard as well as back him up.

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ESPN.com reported Sunday that Celtics forward Brandon Bass is another possible trade target for the Rockets, despite the fact that his contract runs for one more year than Hawes' deal.

Sources say the Rockets are conflicted about taking back Philadelphia's Thaddeus Young or the Celtics' Green because each player has two more seasons left on his contract after this one. If either Young (owed $19.4 million in 2014-15 and 2015-16) or Green (owed $18.4 million over the same span) is involved in the eventual Asik trade, Houston almost certainly will need a third team to absorb the contract of either player, since the Rockets need to maintain as much future flexibility as possible to re-sign forward Chandler Parsons, who quickly has blossomed into a key cog in Houston and will command a huge raise when he eventually makes it to free agency.

So according to Stein it looks like we're a front runner for landing him. If not for Bass we would send Green to the Cavs in a 3-way trade. I don't really like it but if it did happen Danny would HAVE to be eyeing Melo.

[beklog]

^^ i definitely don't like loosing Green for Asik.. but this looks very plausible

[Drucci]

I would hate to lose Green for Asik... It doesn't make sense for Boston either if the goal is to improve now, you get the missing center but lose your best wing player and have to fill him in with Wallace... ugh.

[ManUp]

Trade Perkins for Green than turn around and trade Green for Perkins 2.0. 

I hope we don't end up sending anything else out with Green If something does down.

[2short]

Asik deadline might be arriving but I personally think Ainge is in the drivers seat for all deals this year.  The Celtics have 50 draft picks  , expiring hump contract (who is playing well), Bass as a good fit for many teams, green the same, bradley, crawford both unsigned trade bait and young assets ko and fav.
I'd like to think ainge is looking closely at Asik but isn't going to do the trade for the sake of a trade.  We don't NEED to do anything this year.  Maybe Gasol is a bigger picture (marc that is).  If Asik can be had for bass or hump + contracts to match and a pick great.  I can't see moving Green to get Asik as we go from weak in the center position to even weaker at sf.
current pf on the team, sully (starter) bass hump ko
all these guys should get minutes so to me this is where a trade is happening, just hope it isn't sully as ainge has picked someone who has potential beyond what i was hoping!

[Eddie20]

Sorry for the new post, but I didn't want it to get drowned out under the old one. Plus, it specifically names rumored trades.

Stein:

Numerous teams consulted by ESPN.com in recent days have said they are convinced the Rockets will indeed go ahead with a trade headlined by Asik before their self-imposed deadline of Dec. 19, with sources saying Tuesday that the Boston Celtics are increasingly active in the Asik talks.

As a result, the Celtics now are widely regarded as the strongest rivals to the Philadelphia 76ers in terms of likely destinations for Asik, with many rival executives expecting the final form of a trade built around the 7-footer from Turkey to feature at least three teams.

Sources say the $15 million is not a figure that scares off the Sixers or Celtics, which is why those are the two teams most frequently mentioned as landing spots for Asik.

One possible scenario that has emerged, sources say, is a three-way trade in which Boston lands Asik, Cleveland absorbs the contract of Celtics forward Jeff Green and Houston scores no fewer than one of the future first-round picks it covets for surrendering Asik. Other players would have to be involved in such a trade to make the salary-cap math work, but it's the sort of trade that would fall in line with Cleveland's well-known focus on upgrading its options at small forward.

The Cavaliers pursued Green in free agency two summers ago before Green re-signed with Boston and, as ESPN.com reported Sunday , have shown far more interest recently in finding a new small forward than going ahead with the rumored Varejao-for-Asik swap.

ESPN.com reported Sunday that Celtics forward Brandon Bass is another possible trade target for the Rockets, despite the fact that his contract runs for one more year than Hawes' deal.

Sources say the Rockets are conflicted about taking back Philadelphia's Thaddeus Young or the Celtics' Green because each player has two more seasons left on his contract after this one. If either Young (owed $19.4 million in 2014-15 and 2015-16) or Green (owed $18.4 million over the same span) is involved in the eventual Asik trade, Houston almost certainly will need a third team to absorb the contract of either player, since the Rockets need to maintain as much future flexibility as possible to re-sign forward Chandler Parsons, who quickly has blossomed into a key cog in Houston and will command a huge raise when he eventually makes it to free agency.

Woj:

As the Houston Rockets move to the cusp of trading disgruntled center Omer Asik, Atlanta, Boston, Cleveland and Philadelphia have emerged as the frontrunners to land him, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Houston is pursuing a power forward in a deal, with candidates including Atlanta's Paul Millsap, Philadelphia's Thaddeus Young, Boston's Brandon Bass and Jeff Green and Cleveland's Anderson Varejao.

The structure of most of Houston's trade scenarios are three-way deals, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

[BleedGreen1989]

Yuck. I would be pretty upset if Danny traded Green for Asik.

Bass, Hump, Bogans, Brooks, LAC pick. Stuff like that is where this deal needs to go.

[Eddie20]

Who says no?

Boston-
Waiters
Asik

Cleveland-
Green

Houston-
Bass
Miles
1st rd pick from Cleveland


Boston gets their center, which moves Sullinger back to his natural PF spot. Waiters is highly talented and protects against a possible Bradley departure.

Cleveland acquires Green, who fills a major need, while trading away the unhappy Waiters. Waiters and Irving have been at all odds all year.

Houston adds a good shooting big, a backup wing who can shoot, and the 1st rd pick they covet. 

[Roy H.]

Who says no?

Boston-
Waiters
Asik

Cleveland-
Green

Houston-
Bass
Miles
1st rd pick from Cleveland


Boston gets their center, which moves Sullinger back to his natural PF spot. Waiters is highly talented and protects against a possible Bradley departure.

Cleveland acquires Green, who fills a major need, while trading away the unhappy Waiters. Waiters and Irving have been at all odds all year.

Houston adds a good shooting big, a backup wing who can shoot, and the 1st rd pick they covet.

Probably Cleveland.  Waiters, Miles, and a #1 seems like a lot for Green.

I'm not sure that Houston would love their return, either, although it depends on which Cleveland pick it is.

[Birdman]

Who says no?

Boston-
Waiters
Asik

Cleveland-
Green

Houston-
Bass
Miles
1st rd pick from Cleveland


Boston gets their center, which moves Sullinger back to his natural PF spot. Waiters is highly talented and protects against a possible Bradley departure.

Cleveland acquires Green, who fills a major need, while trading away the unhappy Waiters. Waiters and Irving have been at all odds all year.

Houston adds a good shooting big, a backup wing who can shoot, and the 1st rd pick they covet.

i say yes!!!!!!

[ssspence]

Who says no?

Boston-
Waiters
Asik

Cleveland-
Green

Houston-
Bass
Miles
1st rd pick from Cleveland


Boston gets their center, which moves Sullinger back to his natural PF spot. Waiters is highly talented and protects against a possible Bradley departure.

Cleveland acquires Green, who fills a major need, while trading away the unhappy Waiters. Waiters and Irving have been at all odds all year.

Houston adds a good shooting big, a backup wing who can shoot, and the 1st rd pick they covet.

Probably Cleveland.  Waiters, Miles, and a #1 seems like a lot for Green.

I'm not sure that Houston would love their return, either, although it depends on which Cleveland pick it is.

Agreed. Interesting idea to combine Waiters and Asik, but Cleveland gives up too much in the deal.

BUT, I wonder if Ainge would be interested in Waiters and Asik for Green and a 1st round pick (going to Houston). The Cs are going to need scoring if Green leaves in a Asik deal.

My variation:

CLE receives: Green
HOU receives: Bass, Miles, a 1st from Boston (i suspect it would take more than the Clips 2015 pick -- probably the worse of their two picks in 2014)
BOS receives: Asik, Waiters, Smith

[TwinTower14]

If the C's get Asik doesn't it defeat the purpose if they include Green?  it's a lateral move?

[saltlover]

If the C's get Asik doesn't it defeat the purpose if they include Green?  it's a lateral move?

To an extent it is for this year's team.  But it's a lot easier to find a starting-level small forward than it is a starting-level 7-footer.  By the beginning of next year, if not by this year's trade deadline, that void will have been filled, and until that time, we could do worse than Gerald Wallace.  This could very well be our only real chance at even an Asik-level talent before the end of 2015.

[SHAQATTACK]

If the C's get Asik doesn't it defeat the purpose if they include Green?  it's a lateral move?

Yes trading Jeff for Asik .....would be unpopular move with most fans .....I can see trading Bass or Lee or Crawford or maybe Hump..

Wallace is the person who needs to go ASAP.  ......even with at a loss ...

[Roy H.]

If the C's get Asik doesn't it defeat the purpose if they include Green?  it's a lateral move?

Assuming you rate the two equally at their respective positions, it's not quite lateral, as center is a harder position to fill than SF.