Portland Trail Blazers receive: Omer Asik, Omri Casspi and Donatas Motiejunas Houston Rockets receive: Wesley Matthews and Meyers Leonard View this trade in the ESPN Trade Machine Why I want to see it: This helps both Western Conference powerhouses address their weaknesses without sacrificing too much of their strengths. Word is the Blazers aren't bullish on Asik and they'd hate to mess with the on-court chemistry of their starting lineup, but they're kidding themselves if they think they can challenge for the West title without an upgrade on the defensive end. They rank 23rd on defense this season and 26th since the New Year. When healthy, Asik is one of the top five rim protectors in the NBA, and he'd beef up a frontcourt that just lost Joel Freeland for at least a month with an MCL sprain. They need help. The Blazers would hate to lose Matthews, but this is a golden buy-low, sell-high opportunity for an unbalanced squad. Though Matthews has been instrumental to their relentless offense, such a deal wouldn't remove the franchise pillars of Damian Lillard, Nic Batum and LaMarcus Aldridge. Rookie C.J. McCollum has recently looked fantastic after missing the beginning of the season due to a foot injury and would help fill the void along with Dorell Wright. Plus, no owner is better equipped to take on the $15 million that Asik is owed next season than billionaire Paul Allen. The Rockets would net the sweet-shooting Matthews, who is also a physical perimeter defender -- an area that has been Houston's Achilles' heel this season. He's had somewhat of a down year defensively (Synergy rates him as well below average thus far), but he's typically been better on that end of the floor. As a veteran 3-point marksman with defensive chops, he'd fit in nicely for the Rockets' big push. http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/stor...mer-asik-trail-blazers-five-intriguing-trades
Before some people clamor over this trade, you should take the time to think about just how bad Meyers Leonard has been as a pro. Hopefully then, you will realize that we once again get shafted by TMZ…er… ESPN.
This. Leonard is a project and we're in "win now" mode. This move essentially trades 3 rotation players for 1.
Lol sure we would make that trade. Meyers plays like shyt. So we get Matthews for Omer Asik and Casspi AND DMO? Oh and at the same time we make Portland a contender in the process so they could knock us out in the playoffs.
Does anyone really think Morey is going to be on the wrong side of a buy low/sell high trade? Really?
LOL Morey isn't going to give the Blazers a potential Dwight-stopper when Rockets/Blazers could very well be our first round series. ESPN gotta get dem hits tho
Haha I remember when people were saying that we should draft Meyers in that draft. I was called out for saying he was going to be a flop and using a pick on him would be dumb. My sig has not changed since that draft.
Matthews + Lopez for Asik + DMo + Casspi Seems more legit. But I don't know if I'd be in love with it.
Mathews, Batum and Lopez for Asik? Only if they included Aldridge as well. And Lillard. And the Portland fans.
No way. Dmo should not be included. Regardless of Asik playing like **** we know the type of player he is. If the Rockets offered Casspi/Asik for Matthews/Lopez the Blazers would be dumb not to take that. They can find another Matthews type player in free agency. Good luck finding an Asik next season. Lopez is serviceable good player right now but Asik would make them very dangerous in the playoffs.
