OFFICIAL: Omer Asik a Houston Rocket (3 year/$25.1 million)

I was always under the impression that he chose the Mets over the Astros because the Astros wouldn't give him a no trade clause.

 

I never heard that but you could be right. My main thing was that I know it wasn't the money.

 

What you don't understand is how superstar athletes think. For most of them it's not so much about the practical side of the money, it's about saying "I get paid a $25M salary and you only get paid $20M". It's an ego thing. They don't give a f*** about state income taxes and whether it ends up being the same, they care about what the money says they're worth.

And, I think the no trade clause aspect is true. A no trade clause has some vaguely defined amount of fiscal value. It also says the club you signed with thinks you're so good they don't mind not being able to trade you. Another ego boost.

 

And when you are a "numbers guy" like me, THIS is why I don't have a problem with Morey and Les' approach (in today's NBA) of trying to remain competitive and acquire a top talent via free agency and/or trade.

Obviously, the odds are BETTER. Taking this road is extremely frustrating for fans, but no more so than going through what the Astros are. Sure, we can say "Well, at least the 'Stros are doing it the right way and they are building for the future... and it looks brighter than it has in years".

True, but man, if I had to take my pick of watching the Rockets go through what the 'Stros have the past two seasons or what the Rockets have went though - both extremely frustrating - I'll take the road the Rockets are traveling EVERY time. At least they are NEAR the playoffs. At least there's a CHANCE that if they're able to acquire one or two players with a team that is just missing the playoffs, they have a chance to be right there. At least it's interesting and even exciting every trade deadline...lol.

People are way too blinded by what OKC was able to do, which is extremely rare. Much more rare than what the Rockets are attempting to do.

Morey has the team in position to acquire one of the game's biggest stars, all while also having them firmly on the road to re-building, if necessary. Impressive job. I realize if a trade doesn't happen, we are ridiculously young - but, with the pieces he's put together, I cannot see us going through years like GS, Sac, Tor, Was, etc.

Time will tell, but this is my opinion.

 

In any case, to bring this back around to the Rockets current situation. It's not about our lack of state income tax, that's just a very minor perk. It's about Dwight saying "I just signed a 5-year super-max contract". He can't get that anywhere else. We can offer by far the most favorable, ego-boosting contract of any team.

 

I thought this was a thread about Asik

 

You a-seek something topical?

 

Exactly.

More proof of this is when the RealGM guy (who broke the opt in last year) came out with the "NOW we're gonna' see what the Magic are doing. What they are about. If they're full of BS and just messing around"... hinting that, after the report comes out of Dwight being WILLING to re-sign in LA, NOW Orlando BETTER make a trade happen... OR ELSE... everyone will see they are "doing Dwight wrong". ????? Huh????

That was comical.

And, the naive fan sees the headline "Dwight willing to re-up in LA" and, after listening to the "insider", feels A) we have no shot at re-signing him or even getting him and B) Dwight is a "victim"...lol.

That guy coming out with that "cricitcal information" to SHOW everyone what was up - meant absolutely NOTHING. It was meaningless.

He WANTED everyone to think "OK, so even if Dwight AGREES to re-sign somewhere, you see the Magic are still playing games...."

When, the facts were (even before the agent came back and disputed the report and said Dwight would NOT promise to re-sign and he'd explore free agency), it didn't change anything. It didn't change what LA or Cleveland could offer.

It was a GAME. Notice he didn't come out and say "OK, Dwight is willing to re-sign in HOUSTON, let's see what the Magic do"...lol. He said LA 'cause it's painfully obvious to Dwight's camp that the LA/Cleveland BS was about as bad as the Nets mess.

If the pieces aren't there to get the best deal possible, Hennigan is NOT going to take "whatever he can get" and just get him somewhere where he promises to re-sign. Hennigan is doing what should always be done - he holds the cards.

LeBron was a FREE AGENT. New York offered the BEST PACKAGE to Denver. These scenarios are nothing like this one. Additionally, with the new CBA, the chances of Dwight actually "walking away" to play somewhere else (as everyone mentioned, likely Dallas or Atlanta) are actually very low (no matter what Adidsas does for him).

 

That's just you guessing what athletes want. These guys are people and location matters a lot for them. I'm not saying you are wrong but location can easily be a deciding factor for these guys. If it was all about the money Orlando would just keep him so they can give him that ego boosting contract.

 

Just to be clear, the ability to MATCH a contract like the one Morey signed Lin and Asik to was done FOR THE TEAM that owns the rights to the free agent.

The ability to pay YOUR free agent a low, likely below market salary for two thirds of the contract was agreed to in the new CBA to MAKE IT EASIER for teams to re-sign their own restricted free agents.

The fact that both the Knicks and Bulls are in "cap hell" is why they chose not to match.

If you manage your salaries RESPONSIBLY, something the Knicks have never done, you are able to re-sign your player and you have two years to A) enjoy the player UNDER market value and B) two years to make moves to ensure the final year won't hurt you.

 

Just leave the Dwight stuff in the Dwight thread

 

Dwight wants to have his cake and eat it too. He wants the location AND the money.

The really telling thing is that he opted in last season. He would be in the location he wants right now if the contract wasn't extremely important to him.

The thing is, the location aspect is effectively closed to him if we trade for him. So it'll just be about, be a professional and take the money, or continue to act like a baby and refuse the money out of spite. 'Cause either way you're not going to LA or NY.

 

Why doesn't Orlando just keep him then?

 

Are you seriously comparing his situation in Orlando to what his potential situation would be in Houston? Do you think Addidas and any other company would give him millions of dollars if he decides to get his 2nd set of GM/coach fired in Houston along with Orlando?

Yes, I guess there's always a slight chance Howard would make the atmosphere as poisonous in Houston as it currently is in Orlando. I guess he may decide to give the entire city of Houston a big FU next season to get out. I'd like to see what his next shoe contract would look like for a guy who quits on two teams.

Even T-Mac gave Houston 4 years before quitting on the Rockets. I'll take 4 years of Howard before he go off the deep end.

 

I'm NOT saying Howard won't sign elsewhere.

I'm saying, that when you have the opportunity to acquire a star of his magnitude, you take the risk.

For those saying "Well then why is Orlando trading him if he won't walk away from the most money?", the two scenarios are entirely different. It's taken YEARS for the Dwight/Orlando relationship to get to where it has. There are a LOT of hard feelings and grudges.

Also, as most who know him will attest, Dwight is generally a "good guy" who cares what others think of him - especially fans.

Knowing the relationship with the organization and also THE FANS has run it's course, Dwight WILL likely leave Orlando.

If he's in Houston, while the initial reaction will be that of disappointment (knowing how badly he wanted to be in Brooklyn), the love he'll feel from both the fans and the organization will feel entirely different than if he were to play the season out in Orlando. The fact that we'd have an entire year to do everything possible to show him it's a good situation here and that Morey can put together a contending team around him, without the negative atmosphere he'd be in if he were to stay in Orlando all plays in Houston's favor.

Orlando has finally made the decision to move on without him. The team and the city are DONE with him. But again, it's taken years to get to this point. Two totally different scenarios.

 

Nazr Mohammed close to signing with the Bulls. Looks like Asik's coming to town.

 

I think that's a bit of a threat to actually happen. BUT you need to keep in mind just how broken the relationship with the fans and organization already is there. I don't think either side wants anything to do with the other anymore. At least in Houston it's a fresh start for Dwight and a chance to buckle down and show some professionalism; he cares a lot about his reputation and I have to think he regrets the damage that has happened.

You also need to remember that Orlando is saddled with a lot of bad contracts right now. It's very hard for them to build anything around Dwight and they're not title contenders as currently constructed, especially in the East.

Before you say, "Well the Rockets will be the Houston Magic!"--I don't buy that the Rockets will take back more than 2 moderately bad contracts at most. Orlando has to deal with no less than four.

 

I hope they don't take until Tuesday.

 

The point is that if it was all about the money for Howard Orlando would just keep him. Howard could come here and not like it and leave just like he would leave Orlando. To say it's all about the money for Howard is over simplifying things.

 

I am by no means saying he will for sure leave the Rockets but I am saying that there is a lot to it besides money. I also don't doubt Howard coming here and being a big baby the whole time and then leaving.