People sign with Atlanta to get money, not to win, Horford is already complaining that they're going backwards and they hasn't even played a game.... His success has basically been predicated on centers turning themselves into stretch 5's when he's on the court, Jefferson did, and Horford is an even better fit. Marc would be the best fit, but Dwight? .... The metric fit is all well and good, but RAPM is often about system fit (star players have systems built around them), no greater example than Anderson whose defensive stats fell from average to near league worst, not because he actually got way worse as a defender, but because he doesn't work in his new team's system. Millsap is that guy, you stick him in our system where the center doesn't create any space, and he'll plummet. And then the final problem, right now our personnel is 2nd round playoff good, that means we're not so much looking for wins, we're looking for matchups, and he's basically a mismatch against us for every conference opponent (lets San Antonio play big, Ibaka can roam near the paint - think game 1, he's just roadkill for Zbo, and then of course comes Miami)
Jefferson is NOT a stretch-5. Don't know where you get that. Jefferson is a low block dominator. Jefferson actually hindered Millsap's game because of all the post-up looks he required, thereby the Jazz were not running any pick-and-pop and pick-and-roll involving Millsap. Millsap was an afterthought last year for them. Millsap is a most versatile player. Although undersized he is plenty bulky to go inside with the big boys. AND he has all the tools to play face up away from the basket. He's even got a good handle. Millsap is one of the most underrated, undervalued players in the whole league.
the clear first priority for DM was Howard, signing Millsap would have killed the cap space and a sign and trade that would have sent less salary out for him would have effectively killed the cap space too. The only way for DM to s&t for him and retain cap space would have been to send out either Asik or Lin + fillers (more salary out than in). DM isn't foolish enough to send out either of those two without knowing he's locked D12 up in a contract. If D12 were to have been signed first and milsap were still available I think DM might have been willing to work a deal. Basically no trades or signings were going to happen for DM until D12 was locked up. Because he didnt make a move for millsap doesn't mean he didnt want him, millsap might not have fit the order of operation. In addition, i don't think it would have made sense for DM to trade Asik right away for millsap. I think DM thinks he could always get that kind if deal. It makes more sense to 1) see what D12 and Asik can do together before letting a gem like Asik go 2) wait to see if the market turns up a tier 1 or 2 star. Doing a trade of Asik right after signing D12 only limits the options for DM. Also, look at it from Utah's perspective. They're full on tanking....in order to trade for millsap we'd have to send them salary (crap players, expirings, etc) plus picks. We didnt have any contacts that fit that bill. We certainly werent going to give them picks + good players in asik or lin. Also Utah doesn't want any player that would make them better so its really about the cap space and picks for them. We weren't an ideal trade partner for them. So just bc a trade didnt go down or was rumored to be attempted doesn't mean DM didn't want Millsap. I personally millsap is DMs kind of player and is still on his radar especially with that contract he's on. If he does acquire millsap, that's a contract that can always be moved if another opportunity comes up.
Millsap + Schroeder + filler(S) for Asik + filler(s) is the best deal here. God I love Schroeder. One of the best young true point guards out there. Rajon Rondo with shooting skill.
Millsap is perfect for the Rockets because he is an EFFICIENT, C-O-M-P-L-M-E-N-T-A-R-Y offensive player that has RANGE. The intangibles are clearly there. The tenacity alone could be a game changer for the team's character. Hopefully, Horford's "unhappiness" makes this Asik swap possible.
