Morey wanted him, can he now get him? We've all seen how free agency had played out for centers. All the centers got paid, overpaid. Even Kwame got a $7M deal. DeAndre Jordan got $11M/yr. Tyson Chandler getting $14.5M/yr. Nene was given $12/yr but the overall money was more than the max offer other teams could offer. Overall money is more important to older players as it could the last major contract in their careers. Does this free agency force a re-think in the Bulls FO's on whether they can keep Asik for the long term? Rose is a lock for a max contract next year. That'll be 4 players on $10M+ contracts (combined $50M+). Asik is limited to the MLE because of the Gilbert Arenas rule. Even though he's a RFA I think he can get the full MLE. If he does they're paying luxury tax for the next few years but that's not their greatest concern. Here's where it gets trickier. Does Asik take the 1yr qualifying offer with hopes of hitting the same pay day as DeAndre Jordan the following free agency? With this in mind is Asik a luxury the Bulls can afford to keep when Gibson is able to cover both ends of the court at C? Especially when they need more help at other positions. For the Rockets they have to ask themselves how much are they willing to give up for a starting center? If the Bulls let Asik go because of future salary concerns they will want longer term low cost replacements, for e.g rookie contracts. I don't see the Bulls agreeing to a one for one deal but some sort of trade package. The only valuable big man the Rockets have fitting their needs is Patrick Patterson. The other guy/s can only be either C.Lee or Budinger. http://www.shamsports.com/content/pages/data/salaries/bulls.jsp
The Bulls like his potential a lot. They wouldn't trade him for Courtney Lee last year despite their problems at SG (and they have plenty of depth at PF, btw). We'd have to overpay.
I never suggested they would trade for "junk". He won't be cheap. Which was the was the point. A changed market. No one before this free agency expected centers would be over paid this much. Several months ago no pundits thought Nene turning down the Nuggets $50M contract extension was a good move on Nene's part.
The market hasn't changed as much as you think. Quality bigs have been a scarce commodity for a decade or longer. They've been getting overpaid for a while. Because everyone wants a good big man. And if everyone wants a good big, you don't think another team can put together a better package than Patterson and one of Lee or Budinger (both of whom qualify as junk)? One that fits their needs (a quality SG)? It'll take first round picks and then some to get Asik.
The Bulls have the players they want. They got the SG they wanted all along in Hamilton They are done with roster changes.
They would probably give up Asik though....it would make them a complete team with Kmart at the SG spot. DD
Seriously, no. Asik is not going to make us considerably better. We aren't a championship team with one piece remaining, I feel like people act as if we just plug this center hole we have with anyone it would be worth it. Just say no to Dalembert, Asik, or any other mediocre center that would only serve to keep our team in mediocrity. What would be the point?
