Here is the perfect deal involving Garnett: * Houston signs Howard * Boston buys out Paul Pierce * Garnett traded to Houston for Asik + TRob * Pierce agrees to sign with Houston for the minimum. In essence, Pierce is part of the deal. He agrees to this because he and KG are close and both want to win another championship. Those who think KG would have problems meshing with Dwight or would be a headcase are completely wrong. KG is beloved as a teammate and in Boston (I lived there for several years). He is INTENSE, but he is not a prima donna and does not have a big ego. He does not play mind games with his teammates the way Kobe does. He is the kind of guy who will be the first one to back up his teammates when s**t goes down. That's why people from other teams can't stand him. He does everything he can to get under the skin of opponents, but when it comes to his teammates he is the best there is. He would take all the heat off Howard for leadership and he would always have his back, exactly what a sensitive guy like Howard needs. KG does not hold grudges and would have no problem getting along with Howard. You never hear KG talking smack about players outside of the game. He's just nasty when he's fighting you. On a basketball level, KG is also an excellent fit for our team. His defense is still fantastic, and he and LMA are the best two PFs in the league at hitting the mid-range J. That would provide crucial spacing for the offense and doesn't interfere either with Dwight or Harden's game. That's something really critical and which is a better fit than JSmith. Smith is good but his problem is that none of his offensive skills are at a truly elite level, so some of his abilities would get wasted on a good team, similar to Rudy Gay. The mid-range game is also something that sets KG apart drastically from Asik. Asik's game is heavily redundant with Dwight. Given his age, we could restrict KG to 25 minutes a game at a combination of the PF and backup C positions. The rest of the PF time we could play small ball like we did this season. With KG and Howard in, we are an elite defensive team with a perfectly balanced offense. Pierce is also a great complement. One of the team's problems in the OKC series is that we didn't have enough ways to generate offense in the late game. Pierce is old, but is still a great shot creator and 3pt shooter. He would be ideal leading a scoring unit off the bench to ease the burden on Harden.
Just to be clear, JSmith for Asik + TRob is also ok and perhaps safer given KG's age. It really depends on KG's health. I also think it may be hard to get Smith. If we could alter KG's contract to make 2014-2015 an option year (through a restructuring involving Boston), I think this deal is a slam dunk for both sides. Those thinking we can trade Asik for more (e.g. LMA) are out of their minds. No way Portland does that. Also, I think people who want to hang onto Asik because of his youth are forgetting that championship teams need a few veterans. If we get Howard, we need to stop thinking like a developing team, and instead like a contender.
It's based on what you can get for Asik. If you can do better, then by all means do it. If you can get more than Garnett, then explore that. But IF the Rockets land Dwight Howard (which is what this conversation is based on), and he performs injury-free, Omer Asik has a maximum of two years left in a Rockets uniform. He's already proven to be a very capable starting center, and those are rare. When he's a free agent in 2015, he's going to get double digit millions per year. The Rockets are all about value... I don't see them spending that kind of money on what would amount to a backup center and spot minute big alongside Howard. We talk about the Rockets like they have a long window, primarily because they're young and Harden is locked in for 5 years, and that's true... but they have two years left of bargains on Parsons, Asik and Beverley.
I posted a Garnett idea in the trade thread, but I routed Lin/Trob to the Jazz, Milsap SnT to Boston and Garnett to Houston to play alongside of Asik. Needless to say I like the idea of KG in Houston, but I have concerns of him getting along with Howard, as he seems to have the same sort of alpha male, no nonsense personality that Kobe has. While I am not in the Lakers locker room, it seems Howard clashes with those types of personalities.
KG is not like Kobe. Kobe is an intimidator who berates those who disagree with him. KG is intense but supportive. KG has not had drama in the Boston clubhouse with anyone in his whole time there, even with strong personalities like Rasheed Wallace and Rajon Rondo. In fact, the Boston locker room has been remarkably drama free, with the exception of bad blood b/w Rondo and Ray Allen. With Howard you have to ask yourself what kind of teammates he does get along with, as he's clashed with deferential teammates (Orlando), alpha dogs (Kobe), and quieter types (Gasol). I personally think his best situation is to have an older mentor who is irrationally supportive of his teammates (Garnett). If Howard were to sign today, he'd be the most veteran star on the team, and would immediately feel a lot of pressure to be the leader. That's not the right role for him.
i agree with intergalactic...I lived in Boston for over 4 years and had an up close look at KG. He's much different than Kobe...and actually, I would think that Howard would be great alongside a teammate like KG. Our defense would be unreal with those two manning the paint.
IF we sign Howard, we have a long window because both Harden and Howard are still young. It doesn't matter whether we keep Parsons, Asik, and Beverley. If we were going to trade some of these pieces to upgrade our 4 spot, I'd rather pick up someone who can contribute longer. I do think Asik can get us something better than Garnett on the trade market.
If the Rockets got Dwight. And IF KG was open to playing in Houston. YES, I would trade Asik for KG. Asik is a LUXARY with DH on the roster. KG paired with DH is a defensive NIGHTMARE for teams. KG can still play at a high level, especially as a super role player. His intensity and defensive focus would be HUGE assets on this team. KG can still play a couple of more seasons. AND paired with DH he probably would get less wear and tear than he is now with the Celtics. In a few years when KG retires his salary comes off the books and the Rockets make other moves. But right now, with Harden (and hopefully DH) the team is in "win now" mode. I am less of a fan of KG over the last years with his 'punk moves,' but there is no denying his abilities and what he brings to TEAM DEFENSE.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>“@<a href="https://twitter.com/jacoby__44">jacoby__44</a>: @<a href="https://twitter.com/highway_30">highway_30</a> Are you excited at the possibility of playing with Dwight Howard next year?” ASIK is a great center. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23RedNation">#RedNation</a></p>— Royce White (@Highway_30) <a href="https://twitter.com/Highway_30/status/341963297232388098">June 4, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
What about Asik for Portland's pick? They need a center and that would offer a pick we could use to get a young backup for Dwight (Kelly Olynyk maybe?). All dependent on Dwight of course - I just can't see Asik working next to Dwight in the fast paced offense Lin/Harden/Parsons are going to run.
If we got Howard, it would make sense. I think KG would also be beneficial to TJones. Obviously a younger guy would be preferred, but KG would fit better.
Based on another poster's scenario where we trade Asik + TRob for Garnett and Boston buys out Pierce and Pierce signs for a Vet Min. Jotted down the roster if we pulled that off. Looks mouth watering. Lin/Beverley Harden/Anderson(?) Parsons/Pierce KG/Jones/DMo Howard/Smith Hopefully, we can get Cisco back on vet min to back up Harden.
Clutch, You are on point. Listen. If Howard comes to the Rockets. I actually don't see Asik being on the team. I mean maybe he stays based off the F/A we get, but hypothetically speaking Asik being moved for KG makes too much sense. He has 2 years, 24 million remaining and an array of playoff experience. Imagine getting Avery Bradley as well... the options Morey has at this point is unreal. And I hate to say this but if morey can get another star along side Howard and Harden. Parsons will be dealt in a heartbeat to get that star.
Actually, all the pieces I'd like for Rockets to go after are on the Celtics. But my first target would be Rondo. For the sheer fact that not only would be instantly become one the top 3 defensive teams with Dwight and Rondo, I just dont trust either Lin or Harden in the 4th quarter with the ball in their hands...Not to mention he's really the perfect 3rd star and I prefer him to L. Aldidge. Just because I really think with Harden being a TO machine, we need a solid PG to get our offense set. Also, Rondo is on a perfect contract, 2 more years at an avg of 12 mil, a perfect 3rd star contract. I think a package of Asik, Lin, T. Jones and a 1st could get them thinking. Garnet is actually a good choice as well, the only problem is he still has 3 more years and is really really old...He would not be my top 5 choices for Asik (I believe his value is higher than a 37 year old good PF with a long contract). But he would be my top 10.
His numbers hasn't dropped much since his first year in Boston. He pretty much has the same impact on the game assuming he stays healthy. As clutch mentioned, Asik may be young but he only has 2 more years on his contract for roughly 10/year. After that, his salary is going to go in the double digit range. I think KG has 2 good years left in the tank in which he will provide more usefulness to the Rockets than Asik can. Now if Asik could get LMA or Love, I would be good with that also. However, I don't see that happening. Minny and Portland aren't going to let the best player on their team go for Asik.
How about Omer and Trob for Garnett and Lee Would that still allow us to sign Dwight? Maybe throw in Royce to make the money work?
