Asik trade rumors (deal reportedly off)

[LarBrd33]

Per Chris Forsberg of ESPN:

Asik’s impact in protecting the hoop is impossible to ignore, both as an individual defender and the effect on his teams as a whole. While he’s played sparingly this year (311 minutes of floor time), the Houston Rockets’ defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions) is a measly 96.9 with Asik on the floor. That number rockets to 102.4 when he’s on the bench.

That isn’t an outlier. Two years ago in Chicago, the defense-minded Bulls owned a defensive rating of 89.7 with Asik on the floor, which was 5.6 points lower than the team’s already minuscule rating of 95.3. In his first NBA season, Chicago saw similar results when Asik was on the floor (90.9 defensive rating) versus when he was off (99.5).

In 16 appearances this season, Asik is allowing 0.667 points per play, according to Synergy Sports data. Of players with at least 135 possessions defended, Asik ranks fifth in the NBA (FYI: Boston’s first player on that list is rookie center Vitor Faverani at 33rd overall).

It’s not just a small sample size. Two seasons ago with Chicago, Asik played 65 games and allowed 0.653 points per play (277 points on 424 possessions defended). Of players with at least 200 possessions defended, he ranked first in the league. No. 2, ironically, was Brandon Bass, a player the Celtics might deem expendable in the quest to secure Asik’s services.

Not sure how valuable defensive ratings are as I'm not an expert when it comes to stats, but his defensive impact appears to be very consistent. 

You need a defensive anchor like Asik when playoff time rolls around.  If Bass + Lee + Clippers 1st gets it done, I'd be psyched.

Alright I'm sold.  We haven't had an elite interior defender for 8 months.  It's been a long time coming.

Maybe if we pull this off, we can return to perpetual mediocrity.  41 wins or bust.

[blink]

I'm surprised by Zach Lowe's analysis:

That potential BOS/HOU trade is...a little bit of a yawner, maybe? Not sure it moves the needle much for either team.

Would give HOU a bit more versatility/insurance against injury (and a pick, perhaps). Not quite sure why BOS is super-interested.

Surprised by it too.  But not everyone is sold on Asik.  On paper he's a total stiff.  Yeah, he had a good season rebounding, but he wasn't even in the top 100 for defensive rating or the top 40 for blocked shots.  You have to look at some deep "points allowed on/off court" breakdowns to really back up the idea he's an "elite" defender... and even then there are reasons to be skeptical, because those "points allowed on/off court" stats could just mean Asik's backup was a garbage defender.   That and the fact he's a terrible offensive player.

I am not very sold on Asik either actually.  bball is a two way game.  when you have a player that isn't capable of being a threat on the offensive side it puts more pressure on the other players.  Asik to me really seems like a great 1st big off the bench, a hustle and effort guy that won't let the def intensity drop when your star center goes to the bench.  In that role, awesome.

As a key starter in our re-build?  I don't know, it just seems like we are going to have an even harder time scoring.  Maybe DA sees him as another asset to flip at a later date as well.

[JSD]

A front court rotation of Asik, Sully and Olynk sounds awesome to me.

[Shamrocker]

NBA source tells Globe on Asik/Celtics trade rumors: "Nothing going on."

Baxter Holmes

I'm confused.

Bulpett and Holmes probably have the same source, I would suppose. Probably a bit of gamesmanship by the Celtic brass.  Sorry, but Woj is never wrong.

[BballTim]

I'm surprised by Zach Lowe's analysis:

That potential BOS/HOU trade is...a little bit of a yawner, maybe? Not sure it moves the needle much for either team.

Would give HOU a bit more versatility/insurance against injury (and a pick, perhaps). Not quite sure why BOS is super-interested.

Surprised by it too.  But not everyone is sold on Asik.  On paper he's a total stiff.  Yeah, he had a good season rebounding, but he wasn't even in the top 100 for defensive rating or the top 40 for blocked shots.  You have to look at some deep "points allowed on/off court" breakdowns to really back up the idea he's an "elite" defender... and even then there are reasons to be skeptical, because those "points allowed on/off court" stats could just mean Asik's backup was a garbage defender.   That and the fact he's a terrible offensive player.

  Not for nothing, but you've used those on/off numbers to show the impact KG made on defense for the Celts.

[VitorSullyandKOFan]

NBA source tells Globe on Asik/Celtics trade rumors: "Nothing going on."

Baxter Holmes

I'm confused.

Bulpett and Holmes probably have the same source, I would suppose. Probably a bit of gamesmanship by the Celtic brass.  Sorry, but Woj is never wrong.

I agree Woj Is very reliable.

[LarBrd33]

I'm surprised by Zach Lowe's analysis:

That potential BOS/HOU trade is...a little bit of a yawner, maybe? Not sure it moves the needle much for either team.

Would give HOU a bit more versatility/insurance against injury (and a pick, perhaps). Not quite sure why BOS is super-interested.

Surprised by it too.  But not everyone is sold on Asik.  On paper he's a total stiff.  Yeah, he had a good season rebounding, but he wasn't even in the top 100 for defensive rating or the top 40 for blocked shots.  You have to look at some deep "points allowed on/off court" breakdowns to really back up the idea he's an "elite" defender... and even then there are reasons to be skeptical, because those "points allowed on/off court" stats could just mean Asik's backup was a garbage defender.   That and the fact he's a terrible offensive player.

  Not for nothing, but you've used those on/off numbers to show the impact KG made on defense for the Celts.

Yup.  I'm sold now timmy.  Let's trade for Asik.  I think he can get us to 41 wins.

Curious though... all the talk about Asik's on/off impact on defense.  Did the offense score more/less points with Asik on/off the court? 

[crownontherocks]

With the Rockets extracting offers for Omer Asik before a self-imposed Thursday deadline, the Celtics and Sixers have emerged as realistic landing spots for the Turkish center, league sources told CBSSports.com.

One scenario that emerged Wednesday would send Brandon Bass, Courtney Lee and a first-round pick from Boston to Houston for the disgruntled center, league sources confirmed. But that potential exchange struck rival GMs as strange, considering the lack of market there would be for Bass and Lee in future trades. Houston wants to fulfill Asik's trade request by Thursday so any players taken back could be repackaged in other deals before the Feb. 20 deadline.

"No one wants Lee or Bass on a third team or later deal," one executive said. "They make more than their skill set."

[SHAQATTACK]

Watch Bass get injured today.

Ooooooooo.....as I grind my teeth.......ahhhhgggg

He better not   

He better look like a 19 teen year old .and play like Magic Johnson

[JSD]

With the Rockets extracting offers for Omer Asik before a self-imposed Thursday deadline, the Celtics and Sixers have emerged as realistic landing spots for the Turkish center, league sources told CBSSports.com.

One scenario that emerged Wednesday would send Brandon Bass, Courtney Lee and a first-round pick from Boston to Houston for the disgruntled center, league sources confirmed. But that potential exchange struck rival GMs as strange, considering the lack of market there would be for Bass and Lee in future trades. Houston wants to fulfill Asik's trade request by Thursday so any players taken back could be repackaged in other deals before the Feb. 20 deadline.

"No one wants Lee or Bass on a third team or later deal," one executive said. "They make more than their skill set."

Yup, that's why I'm FOR this trade.

[blink]

I'm surprised by Zach Lowe's analysis:

That potential BOS/HOU trade is...a little bit of a yawner, maybe? Not sure it moves the needle much for either team.

Would give HOU a bit more versatility/insurance against injury (and a pick, perhaps). Not quite sure why BOS is super-interested.

Surprised by it too.  But not everyone is sold on Asik.  On paper he's a total stiff.  Yeah, he had a good season rebounding, but he wasn't even in the top 100 for defensive rating or the top 40 for blocked shots.  You have to look at some deep "points allowed on/off court" breakdowns to really back up the idea he's an "elite" defender... and even then there are reasons to be skeptical, because those "points allowed on/off court" stats could just mean Asik's backup was a garbage defender.   That and the fact he's a terrible offensive player.

  Not for nothing, but you've used those on/off numbers to show the impact KG made on defense for the Celts.

Yup.  I'm sold now timmy.  Let's trade for Asik.  I think he can get us to 41 wins.

Curious though... all the talk about Asik's on/off impact on defense.  Did the offense score more/less points with Asik on/off the court?

My concern is who picks up the slack? 
We score 95ppg as a team right now.  We are 25th in ppg.

We trade Bass+Lee who are scoring 18.5 ppg.  I know with adjusted playing time others will be taking more shots.  But who is going to step up?  Does Asik give us 10ppg if he is starting?

Also, what will Asik need a year to resign after the end of this contract?  I am sure we aren't going to dedicate big money to a guy who isn't a threat on offense and can't shoot free throws - who can't be on the floor at the end of games.

[erisred]

I don't know about this is Asik worth ALL that on top of a 1st as well? I guess part of it is Danny wanting to get out of Bass and Lee's contracts, does this mean getting out of their contracts we'd be able to sign another huge impact guy next year or are we tied to Rondo/Green/Bradley/Asik etc?

Cap gurus help me out here

Don't forget Wallace. He's the contract we ALL want to rid ourselves of.

Wallace at $10 million, 3 years
Hump at $12 million, expiring
Bogans at $5.5 million, expiring

These would now become the 3 contracts Danny needs to deal with.

I think Wallace could only be moved at a net loss, so he stays for now. I suspect we won't be able to get rid of GW until Feb 2015...sigh!


Bogans is a mid-level player's expiring contract. Bogans + Humphries is enough money for a max player ($17+ mill). Is any team looking to dump a max/near-max star at the deadline this year?

Hump has been a useful player, but he's only worth 40% of his contract. OTOH, Humphries could help any of several contenders down the stretch, so if Danny can get a good deal in Feb make the trade. If no deal presents itself, let Hump expire. Maybe if he re-signs for 4 or 5 million okay, otherwise bye, bye, Humphries!

Bogans by himself could be sent out for a MLE priced player at the deadline. This could be to a team dumping a good-ish player as it goes into the tank. To be honest, he might just expire as well.

[aingeforthree]

A front court rotation of Asik, Sully and Olynk sounds awesome to me.

Asik, Sully, Olynyk, Hump, Fav....

I mean that's pretty darn good, right ?

[aingeforthree]

@GaryWashburn

Hearing Asik to #Celtics is close.  Hearing Lee, Bass, & no 1 pick.  Celtics reluctant to give up 14' pick

[Neurotic Guy]

Per Chris Forsberg of ESPN:

Asik’s impact in protecting the hoop is impossible to ignore, both as an individual defender and the effect on his teams as a whole. While he’s played sparingly this year (311 minutes of floor time), the Houston Rockets’ defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions) is a measly 96.9 with Asik on the floor. That number rockets to 102.4 when he’s on the bench.

That isn’t an outlier. Two years ago in Chicago, the defense-minded Bulls owned a defensive rating of 89.7 with Asik on the floor, which was 5.6 points lower than the team’s already minuscule rating of 95.3. In his first NBA season, Chicago saw similar results when Asik was on the floor (90.9 defensive rating) versus when he was off (99.5).

In 16 appearances this season, Asik is allowing 0.667 points per play, according to Synergy Sports data. Of players with at least 135 possessions defended, Asik ranks fifth in the NBA (FYI: Boston’s first player on that list is rookie center Vitor Faverani at 33rd overall).

It’s not just a small sample size. Two seasons ago with Chicago, Asik played 65 games and allowed 0.653 points per play (277 points on 424 possessions defended). Of players with at least 200 possessions defended, he ranked first in the league. No. 2, ironically, was Brandon Bass, a player the Celtics might deem expendable in the quest to secure Asik’s services.

Not sure how valuable defensive ratings are as I'm not an expert when it comes to stats, but his defensive impact appears to be very consistent. 

You need a defensive anchor like Asik when playoff time rolls around.  If Bass + Lee + Clippers 1st gets it done, I'd be psyched.

Alright I'm sold.  We haven't had an elite interior defender for 8 months.  It's been a long time coming.

Maybe if we pull this off, we can return to perpetual mediocrity.  41 wins or bust.

If Asik/Rondo additions make this a 41-win team this year, I'd be pretty encouraged given the NBA reality that you do not turn into a contender overnight. 
The other NBA reality that teams in the middle get stuck there is dependent upon a variety of variables including the team's youth, assets, and GM.  If the C's are a 41 win team with Asik, I'm feeling pretty good because they are young, have a bevy of 1st round picks, and have been growing their player value all season.  Lee, Bass, Green, Hump, AB, JC, Vitor, and Sully are all worth more today in trade than they were in September.  I'm guessing KO's value will grow over the course of the year as well.  Lastly, I think we have a darn good GM. 
So, in reverse sarcasm I say, 41 wins or bust!