the best backup center in the league, as Dwight's insurance the only problem with that is we don't have a proven floor stretcher at PF. So it depends on what we need more, a supreme backup center, or a deadly 3 point shooting stretch PF who can make teams pay for Doubling Dwight. i say the Latter, only cause we're in win now mode. We don't have time to wait for one of our young PFs to 'potentially' grow into that.
One major difference: salary. I get what you are saying, but here is what Gortat was making throughout his career: Notice he was traded at the peak of his value... I think we should follow suit.
Dwight worked well playing alongside Darko and Tony Battie before, and we made The Yao-Cato, Yao-Hayes work as well, the Gasol-Howard tandem showed signs of domination towards the ends of the season, hopefully we do a Twin Tower Experiment, as both Asik and Howard are not necessarily that slow, imagine the imposing defense
Dwight's history shows that he is at his best when he's surrounded by shooters. i truly believe that Dwight Howard is the only guy who can beat Lebron James. You can't beat Lebron James by trying to play like Lebron James. Dwight in the middle is the only thing that could stop James, but this all depends on whether Dwight is still that guy who played in Orlando and whether we surround him with players who will make teams pay for doubling him. plus, that Orlando-Dwight Howard team never had a James Harden. Replicate that Orlando team as much as you can, i say, the Harden element will put them over the top.
Javale McGee made 10 mil last year came off the bench behind Kosta Koufos. for a whole year and it was a non issue. Omer coming off the bench work as long as Morey needs it to work.
you do realize how deep that Nuggets team was 1-5, right? We have a glaring need at the PF position. you're only as strong as your weakest link.
And what everyone's desperately wanted - a young and productive backup big center - when Yao was here in his later years...
The point I am trying to make is about value. Morey is not going to take below market value just to meet a perceived need. Our Biggest problem last year was when Omer went to the bench our 4s and 5s got exposed. With either Howard or Omer on the floor at all times we can get creative on who we put at the 4 and try and cause some match up problems. Morey is not going to trade Osik unless it makes the team SIGNIFIGANTLY better not marginally. Ryan Anderson would be a Marginal improvement at best. Morey will make the right move when he is ready. Till then our coaching staff will make our Redundancies a strength.
Asik can be insurance for Howard at the beginning of the season,because the latter has a history of back injury. When Howard is ready for more minutes,Asik can be traded for a 4.
Marginal at best? Ryan Anderson is a dead eye 3 point shooter, his game is catered to being a stretch four. 6'10 shooter, he could be Houston's Rashard Lewis.
The first thing that many who are asking for Morey to trade Asik for a starting PF, even if it is not the best value for Asik, is that we don't know how TJones or DMo will play this year. If one or both of those guys comes in and steps up big time this year, all these people will be eating crow. Even worse, if we trade one or both of them with Asik for a marginal upgrade in our starting line up for a PF, and either TJones or DMo blew up on another team, these same people would be talking about how Morey should have known. Second, having both DH12 and Asik allows for one of them to be on the floor at ALL time barring injury. What this does is also allow us to play small ball and for example have a line up of Beverley, Lin, Harden, Parsons and one of Asik or DH12 on the floor...or any other combination where we use a "stretch four". We had a lot of success last year with these lineups in the right scenarios, as long as they are used at the RIGHT time. Third, when we go up against teams with big front lines and if TJones or DMo can't handle one of the bigs, BAM, we have two of the best big man defense stoppers in the league to stop the other team. That is a luxury that any team in the league would gladly pay 8.3 million to have if they could afford it. Many 6th men in the league make 8 million or more and only contribute mostly offensively usually. There is not a defender in the league or a 6th man in the league that I can think of that can steal give you a double double in only 30 minutes a game the way Asik can. So saying he is redundant to DH12 is really short sighted IMHO. Finally, fortunately and so far obviously, Morey must be thinking somewhat along these lines because he surely could have traded Asik by now for a "stretch four" if he really wanted to. I think Morey by his statements clearly realizes the value of Asik is much more than most of the PFs that have been offered or mentioned for him. I think Morey only trades Asik for a star PF like LMA or Love. Asik may stay here through his contract and beyond if Morey can get a PF upgrade this year with the Room Exception or next year with the MLE; if LMA or LOVE never become available in a trade scenario. Asik will be better than what Gortat was in Orlando to Howard.
