That is a lot to give up for LMA. You're talking about 3 picks, and 3 players. It's not worth it when we have the cap space to sign someone this offseason or next outright.
First, you can't compare Noah's 3 yr deal to Asik's 2 yr. Better to say, $23M vs. Asik's $16M left? That would be more appropriate. Noah is still young and improving -- that third yr is a good thing, not a bad thing. I just don't see POR agreeing to move LMA w/o Asik AND Parsons both being in the deal, though the picks are nice. Would Morey give up that much in future picks (our own) for LMA though? And Cavs' offer of #1 and #19 is not as impressive once you consider how weak this draft is.
The Bulls aren't trading Noah for LMA, that would be pointless...the whole point is getting them to play together I would think. That would be a dominant frontcourt.
Nothing we have would trump what other teams would offer for LA. We don't have a chance unless harden is involved.
Look, Aldridge isn't going anywhere. He may want to leave but if the Blazers turned down Cleveland's package they want more than the moon for him and no one can afford that ATM.
What about blocks? Noah is better than Asik if you ask me, he has had some monster games and without Rose was their most important player on a very good team.
#1 pick seems so bad right now. Seems like the best any of the top 5 players can be is a borderline all-star guy like Iguodala. I think Rose/Aldride/Noah would be a contender. That frontcourt would destroy Miami's and Derrick Rose...if he can still be Rose people forget just how good that guy is. So LMA would go to Chicago because that would be a contending team...oh yeah they also have the best young coach in the NBA who seems to get the most out of all his players.
If I were the Blazers I'd force anyone taking LMA to take Batum and his huge contract too. They'd be able to tank for a year, hopefully have multiple picks in next year's draft and tons of cap space for next year's free agents. LMA's go to shot is a turnaround 12-15 ft jumper. Isn't this the kind of shot that the Rockets are trying to move away from taking? He's not a 3 pt threat, and he's not a great rebounder.
But it wouldn't be Rose/LMA/Noah since POR would want Noah. It'd be a much worse team. And it hinges on Rose's health. All have said he's back up to 100% or so though so I guess that isn't weighing much on his mind. They play in the east, so could they actually run Boozer/LMA at the 4 and 5 for awhile?
Yeah, his shot is from the midrange, but I'm skeptical that a player of his skill at the midrange can't back up a couple of feet and hit some 3's at a good rate. He's 41% from 16-23 ft. But even if he doesn't, it'd be nice to have someone who does shoot from the midrange to throw off defenses. We get a little predictable when we go for the efficient shot ALL the time. It gives us a diff option, esp. on the half court set, which we are desperately in need of right now. And all the while, he still helps space our floor.
I agree he is better, but I don't think Asik is that far behind. More boards in less playing time is impressive. Noah averages 1.5 bpg for his career, Asik 1 bpg. Asik is also younger and on a smaller contract. He will get better.
The Bulls won't trade Noah for LMA, they are about on the same tier if you ask me. Both borderline all-star players in the same age range. It really doesn't make much sense to trade them...they'd be better off getting Thomas Robinson because he's a guy that would likely fit right in with what Thibs wants with his players. Boozer LMA frontcourt would drive Thibs crazy though, so I don't think the Bulls would be that desperate to get LMA...I mean they are REALLY close to being a true contender (depending on Rose) so they should be more careful with their moves.
