This is from Hoopshype.com
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. ESPN.com -
I'm not sure if I want to give up Green for Asik. Jeff has really good, especially for what we are paying him.
I dont get the Jeff Green hate around Boston. He has played well for us especially this year. I also dont want to give up Jeff in an Asik deal because he has been proven to guard (or at least somewhat contain) the James, Durants, and Georges of the world with more success than most others can. And thats huge in todays NBA.
While I agree, having a good big man defender is just as important as the wing defender against scoring wings, because it is the help defense that keeps them out of the lane. And big men are harder to find than wings.
But then the trade will make no sense.
Are we trading for Asik just to have him or are we trading for Asik because we saw the potential of the team and is now trying to make a Playoff run?
Giving Green for Asik would put us in the same boat, if not worse as we lose one of our offensive weapons. And while it's easier to find a scoring wing, keep in mind that Omer is only contracted until next year. Unless we get a replacement for Green right now and next year, swapping him for Asik would make no sense.
I think you would be trading for Asik, knowing that you need to make another move to then replace Green, but you know that a slightly above average scoring wing is easier to come by than a defensive anchor center.
I don't think this team has a chance to be above average until they get an above average defensive big man to pair with Sully (well, short of getting a superstar wing player, which isn't happening this year). But, if they have Asik, they could then use some of the other assets/expiring contracts they have to get a quality wing (someone mentioned Granger, which would fit), and suddenly you have a team that could do some real damage in the playoffs.
And that second shoe could possibly not even drop until the offseason.
The interesting thing about a Green for Asik trade is that it absolutely kills the floor spacing, which has been a strength of the team this year, allowing them to overachieve a bit. While Asik is a better player, and more valuable piece than Green, on this particular team, he would actually make them significantly worse until they replaced Green.
So, what could happen is Danny could be filling the center hole right now, when he sees this opportunity, while deciding to go ahead with tanking the season. And then use the assets he has to fill in the roster around Rondo/Bradley/Sully/Asik/lottery pick to make a run next year.