I think the best trade possibility for Lin is the Warriors. They even have a $9.8 million trade exception. I also read the other day they want to add help at the point guard position.
Now that Morey has acquired 2 Superstars you would think he would just be filling in the roster with glue guys but as he said, he still needs 1 more. Knowing all the moves it took to generate a Harden and then all the moves it took to get the space to sign Howard, what will it take to get the 3rd guy here? We don't even know who he is targeting. If Morey is really looking for that 3rd star I think he will have to make one of his baby steps again to position himself for the next player. I don't see him trading Parsons which would be an obvious requirement to trade for a 3rd star and I'm not sure how many guys you would have to unload who are major pieces in a deep playoff run (Asik, Lin) to clear space to sign a max free agent as well as resign Parsons in the future. Seems like Morey will have to play things very carefully going forward and the broad brush stroke transactions that he used to make can now set a team very close to contention back a year or two without a guarantee of that 3rd piece (dumping Asik and Lin's contracts for expirings). Morey must feel like he is in a bit of tight spot knowing he has Jones, who appears to have HUGE upside and possible star talent, and Parsons, who is already becoming a star in the league but feels that neither are THE piece to get the team over the hump. What to do?? What to do??
@Jonathan_Feigen: Small. And very small. RT @AQS18: @Jonathan_Feigen @DHYLNP % that either Asik and/or Lin are gone????
Morey just said that because he wants to resign Parsons at a role player price. Anybody who thinks that is happening is dreaming.
So we know Asik for Varajeo has already been discussed and I think everyone not completely clouded by the Kevin Love rams would love Aaron Afflalo, so what about this: Rockets Out: Asik, DMo, Brewer, Garcia,1st round pick Rockets In: Varajeo, Afflalo Magic Out: Afflalo Magic In: DMo, 1st round pick, Brewer and/or Garcia Cavs Out: Varajeo Cavs In: Asik, Brewer and/or Garcia Brewer and Garcia are just filler we need to include to make it work. Either team could take them. Cleveland makes more sense as they may want them to make a playoff push with a vet or two. Would Houston do it? I think we would have to. This gives us the perfect bench swing option who can shoot, score, and defend. It gives us a solid backup behind Howard and a guy that can still be decent next to him. The costs are an extra year of commitment to Afflalo and the first round pick. I know a lot of the Love 2015 folks will get in a tizzy, but I don't think Afflalo hampers that much. He would have lots of trade value as a very capable player on an expiring contact either in a sign and trade with Minnesota for Love or offloading him to a team with cap room to with him and then sign Love. Probably at least get back a decent first or second rounder. I think a late 1st is just too little to worry about when it would add two pieces that I think puts Houston on par with just about every team out there. Instantly the best bench with Lin, Afflalo, and Varajeo. Starting lineup one of the best with Beverley, Harden, Parsons, Jones, and Howard. Would Cleveland do it? I think so. If the talk about Asik for Varajeo was true before then why wouldn't this deal work? Would Orlando do it? Not so sure. Afflalo is a valuable piece, so losing him really hurts their team. Upside? Afflalo is a valuable piece, so losing him really hurts their team this year, but boosts their ability to tank into and stay in the bottom two or three teams. In addition to that benefit they get DMo and a first round pick plus save about $7M a year for the next two years, plus about $1.4M for the rest of this year. I wouldn't be surprised if they have better offers or just don't want to completely tank and give away Afflalo for anything but a ransom, but I think this would get some traction. Thoughts? Heck I'd add more to it if need be. One of our decent 2nd rounders and the same from Cleveland as well? Rights to Papa? If do that all. The second rounders are great but can generally be bought if we really want another. At what point would you guys balk at that deal? How much more would Orlando want? I think I include it all because that team has no excuse for not winning the West IMO.
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=ktntz9c That was tl;dr I know Rockets Out: Asik, DMo, Brewer, Garcia,1st round pick (would add 2nd rounder to Magic & rights to Papa) Rockets In: Varajeo, Afflalo Magic Out: Afflalo Magic In: DMo, 1st round pick, Brewer and/or Garcia Cavs Out: Varajeo Cavs In: Asik, Brewer and/or Garcia Thoughts?
After trading for Steve Nash, Houston can sign Charles Barkley! And Kareem Abdul-Jabbar! And Bob Cousy! Nash is very obviously done. I don't see a big upgrade at PG happening, so it's status quo at PG down the stretch. Omer Asik and probably Donatas Motiejunas are goners, though.
Sweet Jesus! I think I just projectile vomited, Linda Blair style. Earth to hoops fans: Chris Kaman is washed up.
Garcia and Casspi are not going anywhere. They play on veterans minimum contracts, which do not count for the cap limit. Why would Morey give up that advantage brought by these two players that do contribute way above their salary?
If Dwill is still an all star, Morey will do this trade; but If Dwill is still an all star, why will the Nets do this trade?
Maybe, like Dwight Howard, the lights are just a tad too bright in NYC for him to succeed. Think about it, how was he so good in Phoenix yet so bad in NYC? Maybe a change of scenery and less pressure would be good for him. If, and that is a big if, it pays off; the trade would have enormious upside. It is a big gamble to take Stoudamire, but we all know Morey isn't afraid to take a shot in the dark.
Change of scenery won't fix a broken player. When he was capable of playing in NY, he didn't show any problems with the lights. Morey is completely willing to play the lottery for free (i.e. no or very tiny short term or long term risk). Dwight Howard basically is paid near fair market value. He makes more than Howard. He would have to be better upside than Howard with a near lock to reach that upside for him to make sense.
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=ms4t59b Rockets IN: Anderson Varejao, Mike Dunleavy, & CJ Miles. Cavaliers IN: Omer Asik & Donatas Motijunas. Bulls IN: Francisco Garcia, Greg Smith, Emeka Okafor, 2014 1st round pick via Suns. Bulls IN: Carlos Boozer. Why Houston does it? Good all around back-up center in Varejao, Great 3pt shooters in Dunleavy and CJ miles. Why Cavs do it? Their interior defense is horrible and Asik upgrades that. Get a young player with upside in D-Mo. Why Bulls do it? Clear cap space for Melo. Why Suns do it? Rumors are they are interested in Boozer.
Well, I believe it would be much more advantageous to give the core rotation players that vote of confidence by shedding those 2 players than keeping whatever it is they bring to the team. The increased responsibility of the team's fortunes riding on their shoulders will see them play their best. A lot of it just has to do with personalities. Besides, there was already a rumor that Garcia was being shopped not too long ago & Casspi hasn't made a shot in 3 games. He was DNP-CD in the last game (first time all season) & the less Casspi has played (& the more D-Mo has played) coincides with the Rockets substantial improvement in the past 15 games or so.
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=lfyssgv We send Asik, Lin, and D-Mo to Toronto for Lowry, Chuck wagon, PPat. The reunited and Carl feels so good trade.
Toronto has stated they won't trade Lowry, but what I think that could just be smoke. I hope so b/c Lowry would make this team the team to beat this year. Lowry Harden Parsons Jones/Dmo Howard OMG
