That is way too much. Why so many of you have a crush on LMA, the dude is way overrated. Paul Milsap could be a better fit. LMA is just overrated
Star power doesn't win Rockets championships. It is an endless route you follow which brings you nothing.
Did you see our D the past couple games with him at C in the smaller lineups? It's awful! I like TJones a lot. I think he's the answer at starting PF, but he can't protect the paint enough to play C. I know he's gotten a lot of blocks, but not in a "protect the paint" way.
The writer of this article loses all credibility when he writes that "The Thunder would then use the Amnesty clause on Kendrick Perkins next summer to stay below the tax line in 2014-15, when Asik's contract balloons." He does not understand even the most basic aspect Asik's contract. Yes, the salary increases, but the cap hit does not, and it's the cap hit that affects luxury tax. This is true not just for us, but for any team we trade him too. Given that, the writer of the article has no more credibility than any random poster on clutchfans.
No way in hell Portland gives up LMA without getting multiple picks in return. This is their franchise player we are talking about! The dude has been Portland's only consistent player since 2008. Well liked by the city and organization, there is no way LMA gets flipped without at least the possibility of a young star in return. Last I checked, Khan wasn't Portland's GM. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Our ideal partner is Philly; too many things make sense. They didn't pay Evan Turner and he doesn't want to stay there. Hawes is an expiring and will likely get flipped anyway. Hinkie already knows about DMo/TJones' potential + Asik's production and cap friendly contract. Also, he is trying to tank this year so he wants to make his team worse and acquire more picks. Asik + DMo or TJones + 2014 1st rd pick for Evans + Hawes Bev/Lin/AB Harden/Garcia/Brewer Parsons/Turner Jones/Casspi/Smith Howard/Hawes Bolded are the young core that can/will be locked up for (likely) the next four years * Of course we'll be paying the luxury tax and would (almost) undoubtedly be unable to re-sign Lin in 2 yrs. Best case scenario: everyone gels, we make a deep playoff run, we can surpass salary cap to re-sign Turner + Parsons and now we have a very young core locked up. Philly finally tanks properly, Asik gets to start in the Eastern Conference and perhaps DMo gets actual playing time. Worst case scenario: the pieces don't fit, we crap out in the playoffs, lose out on re-signing Hawes and Turner but we clear (Asik's) $8m salary and line ourselves up for a juicy 2014 FA ;Asik ends up hating Philly, but they can flip his expiring contract for another pick + they still have our pick (DMo remains inconsequential) Of course I am partial to the idea that we need a perimeter defender more than a starting PF, but at least this trade also nets us 1 yr of a stretch 5 Sounds like a Win-Win situation no matter the outcome
Not only are you correct, the author is twice the fool for this suggestion because using the amnesty on Perkins would mean that OKC is still responsible for his salary (minus any bid amount from another team.) Add the fact that OKC would be paying Asik an "actual" salary of $15m The actual amount the small market Thunder would shell out in 2014/15, in this scenario: Durant $19m + Westbrook $15.7m + Ibaka $12m + Asik $15m + Perk ~$8m + others ~$10m = $79.7m!!!!!! Terrible journalism
He is playing good despite the terrible situation Portland is in. Portland's been is in rebuilding more for two years in a row and this year he can hope for 1st round exit at most. Yet he's being a complete professional about it and never asked publicly for a trade or let show his emotions on court. Character stability is IMO very important in a team like Rockets, with Lin's insecurity, Harden's ego balooning and Dwight's Diva acting.
The nba pays about $3m per year of Durant's contract, what happened was that they convinced the nba that since his extension kicked in after the new cba, the nba should refund the difference between an old cba max and new cba max contract (despite him being about the most worthy supermax player since lebron)
Patterson, the way he was playing last year, would be a perfect fit. Unfortunately for PPat, his game and 3 point shot have disappeared in Sactown. He is playing a career high in minutes but has career lows basically across the board in FG% .388, 3pt% .190, FT% .000 (he's only attempted 1 & missed it!), & points per 6.0. He has improved slightly on the boards to a paltry 5.4 from 4.8, & his steals remain basically the same at 1 a game. He is also yet to block a shot this season. It seems that his game has gone to the Purple graveyard to die a slow death. Sacramento has a way of doing that to peoples games...just look at the Chuckwagon.
Aldridge would be the top prize. But how about Spencer Hawes? How are his career numbers? He seems rugged enough to defend and he would give big defensive centers fits with his 3pt shooting just like what he did vs. Dwight.
We have our own Ryan Anderson and his name is Casspi. He makes about an eighth of what Ryan Anderson makes ...and he actually rebounds I don't think Portland trades Aldridge until next year, and the word is that they don't like Houston's trade assets. That leaves Milsap, who I've always been high on, and who would absolutely thrive in our system. It's also a deal that makes a ton of sense for both teams. Horford can finally play full time at his natural position; power forward! ATL finally gets the true center they've needed for years. Houston finally gets the power forward they've needed for years. They both have 2 years left on their contracts (we know Morey doesn't want to take on non-allstar long-term contracts), and their salaries are within $2 mil of each other. Of all the potential scenarios that have been speculated on, this one seems to make the most sense to me.
I didn't see Ryan Anderson in action yet. Can Casspi defend opposing PFs at least as good as Anderson?
I'd call Anderson an average defender at best. Casspi is pretty close, but probably a slightly lesser defender, although he's been better than advertised so far.
maybe portland is thinking they could get from us by giving us wesley matthews and 2nd round pick. =/ come on, portland isn't going to give us their best pf in a decade for asik. a little perspective, specially when they even have a better record. I don't see them falling past the 6th seed come feb. Tiago provides nothing we didn't have with asik. Ryan anderson, always have liked that move.
Hawes is having a breakout start to this season. Of course playing speedball usually inflates your numbers, but he is hitting his 3's, rebounding well, scoring down low as well as blocking around 2 shots per game. I expect him to come back to reality soon, maybe around the 14pts 9.5rbd mark, but he may prove me wrong & earn himself a big payday on this seasons effort. Is he the answer? Probably not, but he is better than any of the options that we have at the moment...especially with Asik so far down the bench that he and Brewer have become BFF's. It could also be an intriguing acquisition. Hawes can stretch the floor, as we all saw the other night...except if your a Houston fan living in Houston (thanks to CSN). He could play alongside Howard at the 4 & then play back up center in a pinch when Howard sits. It still gives us two starting caliber big guys on the floor at all times, & also, imagine a line up of Lin, Harden, Parsons, Casspi (or Garcia) with Hawes at the 5? All 5 guys are able to hit the 3, the spacing would be amazing, and the driving lanes for our backcourt would be close to a layup line. Who knows, we might be able to get him and James Anderson (the Rocket killer) back in a deal for Asik, but I believe that GM Morey wants a first round pick in any deal for Asik, whom he see's as a legit top 5 center. (I'd say top ten but I'm not Morey).
