Despite limited minutes, there should be a ton of value in having Asik backing up Howard

I'm hoping they cap out at 32-35 in the regular season.

 

Bottom line is winning games in the regular season. (seeking best home court advantage in playoffs) Depending on the game situation and score, there is an argument for trying to give both Asik and Howard equal time on the court. Keeps both fresher (especially in back-to-back-to back games), for longer stretches, and makes Asik happier.

We'll likely see really odd combinations depending on score and opposing lineup during any given game.

As far as the large balloon payment, IF things seem to be progressing well towards an appearance in the Finals (conference and overall), and if rotation and chemistry also seem to be developing, by the All-Star break, I don't see any tampering with it, even if a potential Asik trade appears on the horizon. (Ex: the Rockets traded for Drexler because the team didn't seem to be on track to defend the championship from the prior season, basically trading Thorpe -- a strong 4 -- for Drexler. And they won another championship without an elite 4, BTW. Many ways to skin a cat. -- See Detriot 2004) Another consideration, to add more perspective and cast some doubt as to whether it (the trade) was necessary (we'll never know, now)... San Antonio has a relatively recent history of performing sub-par by their standards in the first half of the season, vs. the second half. Whether it is by design or not (pacing an older squad overall), they usually come on stronger in the second half of the season. They never fall so far behind in the 1st half as to be out of it in the 2nd; which makes it seem by design.

And to top it all off, Morey said he had been wanting Asik for quite some time, for good reason as we saw (well some of us saw; not me Are you paying attention Mr. Alexander?) last season. Why would the Rockets give up the best defensive center tandem (now, not just on paper)? Much depends on Asik being on-board emotionally. This may be where trying to get him as close as possible to equal minutes with Howard will help. Hopefully, as a professional, he will perform to his capabilities regardless of when he gets his minutes. Anything less hurts ANY player's future prospects. Coaches and organizations do note that. Sure, being unhappy can mean just being competitive, but not performing because of it demonstrates lack of character and commitment; in short a lack of professionalism.

A whole season may be necessary to fully see the potential begin to come to fruition, and/or assess the current roster/rotation.

 

Im hoping the same but we know the Superstars always gets the bulk of the minutes. And McHale will ride these two stars all season long.

 

I don't consider having Asik play on hopefully a championship contender as "nothing". I also don't consider the cap space that would be freed up by letting Asik's and Lin's contracts run out to be "nothing" when Love and Aldridge will be free agents.

Morey will try as always to upgrade the team. I think it will be difficult to trade Asik unless a Love/Aldridge type or better player is coming back or all incoming assets will have zero salary cap value in 2015 offseason and doesn't jeopardize the next two seasons.

 

How many players out there are better than Love/Aldridge?

 

Aside from the D, having Asik is also insurance policy for D12, just in case.

 

I think these are Morey's options 1a and 1b:

1a) Trade Asik, TJones/DMo, picks, etc. for a legit allstar at PF. That means LMA, Love, or the like. Nothing less than an "A"-list player. This seems obvious to me because the Anderson/Asik trade, which seems to make sense, has not gone down. Morey isn't even looking at the "B"-list because they don't add enough wins to offset what we lose in Asik. In this scenario, Parsons hits free agency in 2014 and the Rockets resign him.

1b) Hold Asik until his contract expires in 2015. Renounce your rights to Lin, and trade TJones and/or DMo. Boom....plenty of room to sign LMA or Love in free agency. Parsons doesn't hit FA until 2015, and the Rockets offer him an even bigger contract.

Either way, the Rockets get LMA or Love and retain Parsons. The only variable is timing. The Wolves and Blazers should think long and hard about a trade, because....

It is inevitable.

 

2015....???? Love--and in particular Aldridge, are on the downside of their careers. And in 2015 they will be past their prime. And the Rockets should like to sign these guys at that time to a long-term deal? The reason Morey dumped guys like Martin and Scola--was, not because they werent' good players, but because there were players otherwise on the team who had also the potential to do what they could do, only they were 10 years younger.

 

Love will be 27 in 2015. Prime time.

 

can't burn these guys out during the reg season.
playoff depth is the goal and we looked a bit spent in the first round last season.

having asik will really keep howard fresh.

 

The only way thoe two dont play over 38-40 minutes , is if they are blowing a team out.

 

Not many. I've seen a lot of "Asik is going to be traded" talk.

There are about 6-7 PGs, 2-3 SFs, and 6-7 PFs that I think Rockets would look at trading Asik. This includes guys like Lebron, Durant, Melo that other teams would hang up on Morey at mention of their names.