It's early but the Atlanta and Houston rosters just seem to be screaming for a trade. For Houston, Asik has done what he's always done, but the "single tower" lineups, with one of Howard or Asik, has mostly outplayed the "twin tower" lineups. For Atlanta, Millsap has also performed well, but the team is still undersized and not playing very good D (their defensive rating has been far below average). Can really use a rim protector and Horford has even pretty much asked for Asik by name. We'll see how things look by December 15th, though. A lot can change between now and then.
The problem with that thinking is that Rondo is in a suit. It will probably take a month or more before he plays, and it will take even longer before he plays well. So all these trade ideas that supposedly "blow them up" and let them tank in reality would make them better this year and make them drop in the lottery.
Lin will likely help them win 10 more games than they'd like to, and may cause them to end up with something like the 9th-11th pick as opposed to a realistic chance at the top 3. Lin+Tyson Chandler+ fairly minimal talent around these two won a bunch of games. It's amazing what a couple decently talented guys who are actually trying can do to ruin your lotto chances-- just look at Philly and Phoenix so far, even if they don't keep up their current win%, they don't look like 15 win teams unless you trade away some of the guys on the squad who can actually play or bench them. If you are gonna tank, don't even tank half way and end up with one of those 28-33 win squads. There are too many teams who are 100% committed to tanking this year for that kind of record to give you a high pick.
They're down on Deron but not enough to pull the trigger yet. How about, Lin and Asik to Toronto for Lowry, Amir Johnson and Valanciunas?
LMAO. No way Toronto's doing that trade. Valanciunas is their future center and will be 20x the player Asik is, and is only 21. I could imagining them getting rid of Lowry or Amir though.
Pelicans won't do it. A trade has to benefit both sides. That's why I proposed Howard and Harden for Davis. Pelicans can get into playoff easily with Howard and Harden, and they will really think hard about it. Rox won't do it though if Rox only thinks about playoff. Howard and Harden will guarantee playoff for the next 5 years, but no championship though as both players are flawed. Rox will only do it if Rox wants a championship. With Asik, Davis, Parsons, Lin, Rox can possibly get into playoff this year. Salary flexibility is also a big part as Rox will be able to get talent players during the off season.
Of course you will hate it, you never ever trade star players for mediocre pieces. I won't call Howard or Harden superstars because both of them are flawed, but they are star players, especially Howard because of the position. But in order to get a complete player like Davis, you have to give up a lot. That's why I propose Howard and Harden for Davis. Pelicans won't do it if only one of Howard and Harden is offered, not a chance. However, I can see why people are hesitant. 99% of the people do not like uncertainty. They think Davis is a 2nd year player while Howard and Harden already bring Rox to playoffs. However, most people miss the big picture that Howard and Harden are not complete players, it is extremely difficult for them to bring a championship to Houston. During the modern NBA period, no teams has ever won a championship with flawed star players. Bulls, Rox, Spurs, Lakers, Celtics, Heats all have complete star players who can both play offense, defense, score in the game end, shoot FTs. None of Harden and Howard is this kind of player. I guess it is okay for Rox to be in playoff year in and year out, just do not hope for the championship with Howard and Harden.
You do not move Harden and Howard for mediocre players, you move them for real superstars. Harden and Howard will guarantee Rox playoff for years, but there won't be any championships.
I like a Asik (and maybe pick) and Tristan Thompson (and filler) swap. I don't know whats going on for C spot in Cleveland, but if Bynum can't come back or decides to retire there might be a shot with them having Bennett and all.
What the fuxk are you smoking...??? I've seen some ridiculous shyt on this thread but this takes the cake... Plus Harden and Howard for Davis _ contracts don't match up... Davis may not make the playoffs with the team he's on and those guys are better than Bev, Lin, and Parsons.... Lol...
Lin, Asik, and Jones to New Orleans for Holiday and Anderson. The Rockets turn redundant capability into needed capability.
Harden doesn't even have 2 years worth of starts under his belt... Jordan had a good 7 years starting before he got his first championship... Olajuwon got his first championship around 3-4 years after Jordan and they where in the same draft... Look how long it took Shaq... Kobe and Wade got their first one early but they both had Shaq and excellent coaching and GMs... Look how long it took KG, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen and all three of them had to team up... Look how long it took LeBron and he had to get with Wade... My point is young star players usually don't win championships. Magic did it _ but not many more... I don't know if Harden will ever become the star player that can lead a team to a championship but just like with many of the guys I mentioned _ it's too damn early to tell... In the NBA veteran teams with experienced players are usually the ones that win championships... That's how it's always been in the NBA... Look at Miami and San Antonio... Two of the oldest teams in the league... You know less than you think you know about the NBA... Sorry to burst your bubble...
Now as for Howard... I agree with moving him... He's overrated and over paid... But Harden is a young pup... He's a player you keep and groom...
Is he ever... I was watching the dunk fest he was putting on during the shooting stars game last year and he impressed the heck out of me... One of the most explosive white guys from a guard position that I've seen in a long time... The dude can fly...
Don't see it happening with Monroe. HOU's best trade asset is Asik, and if you think Howard-Asik has spacing issues, wait til you see Drummond-Asik-Josh Smith. I suppose a 3-way deal can be done, but those are always complicated.
houston out: asik/dmo/jones houston in: millsap/courtney lee/1st atlanta out: millsap/schroder atlanta in: asik/jones boston out: lee/brooklyns 2014 1st rd pick boston in: dmo/schroder after december 15th of course. we get our stud pf who can defend shoot and rebound along with a wing defender we so happen to need who can also shoot the 3. hes a bit overpayed but prospects are sent to boston in order to recieve thier likely late 1st rd pick acquired from brooklyn. we will likely have to find another trade for a more suffecient backup 5 than greg smith tho. something like ronnie brewer/greg smith/brooklyns recently acquired 1st to charlotte for bismack biyombo and a future 2nd. we end up with a lineup of lin/beverley/brooks harden/garcia/lee parsons/garcia/lee millsap/casspi/parsons dwight/bismack
you just answered yourself. Rockets has no quality PF doesn't mean Celtics would just hand you Bass for "a bunch of nothing" my original proposal was Asik + Beverley + Motijunas + a 2014 1st round pick for Rondo + Faverani you don't have to fix all the weakness in one trade. get the Star player (Rondo) first and the rest will fall in place. and Asik, Bev, D-Mo, and a 2014 1st pick is not "a bunch of nothing". if Rondo ask for a trade i think we have a decent chance. Howard, Faverani, Camby Casspi, Smith, T-Jones Parsons, Garcia, Covington Harden, Lin, Brewer Rondo, Brooks, Canaan maybe still a quality PF away from championship team, but i believe DM can easily find that missing piece next summer. 2015 champion isn't bad at all
Here's another variation of an older trade proposal of mine: Ersan Ilyasova, C.J. McCollom, and Robin Lopez to Houston Omer Asik and Brandon Knight to Portland Jeremy Lin and Donatas Motiejunas to Milwaukee John Henson looks great, the Bucks definitely are wanting to hand him the permanent starting PF job. Meanwhile, the Bucks' PG spot is in disarray. Motiejunas is sweetener for Milwaukee. Knight is expendable, as there is a glut of backup-caliber PGs in Milwaukee. Asik is a big upgrade over Lopez and Wesley Matthews' play thus far seems to make McCollom expendable. Portland takes a flyer on Knight. Ilyasova is the ideal PF for Houston. McCollom is going to be a good third guard by midseason, I really like this kid. Lopez is mediocre as a starter but is a very good backup. A big plus here is that Houston avoids paying $30 mil total (!) to a backup PG and what should be a backup C next season. Revised Houston roster: Starting lineup PG Patrick Beverly 32 minutes/game SG James Harden 36 min/g SF Chandler Parsons 32 min/g PF Ersan Ilyasova 32 min/g C Dwight Howard 32 min/g Key reserves: C.J. McCollom 28 min/g Francisco Garcia 16 min/g Omri Casspi 16 min/g Robin Lopez 16 min/g End of the bench (no playing time): Terrence Jones Greg Smith Aaron Brooks Ronnie Brewer Stashed in the d-league: Isaiah Canaan Robert Covington
