Agreed, partially. I would trade any of the players listed in that poll to go after a superstar. I wouldn't trade Harden. No way you get even money on that trade.
Asik is the only guy on that list that would be difficult to replace. Unfortunately, he doesn't want to stay here long term. Parson's is going to get a hefty pay raise so his value decreases.
^This. Any "superstar" who can't be bothered to care about the playoffs (let alone defense) can be cast off for a high lotto pick, as far as I'm concerned.
How could anyone on that list even remotely be considered as untouchable? Imo, Parsons is one of the most likely pieces to be traded, especially in any move that brings back a top tier player.
Consider value wise， Asik is the "most" untouchable, or to be exact, hard to find. There are maybe 25 teams in this league in need of a guy like Asik, in appropriate price. All the other guys are EASY to find. All are touchable. Period.
Terrance Jone Just turned 22 a few months ago, averaged 12/7 in only his 2nd year and first year playing any meaningful minutes, and his ceiling is much higher than all of those guys.
lin is untouchable for the most part. rockets need an asian player to keep the chinese sponsors happy. his salary is more like kobe's in terms of marketing not production.
Wow, as one read this -- whole "core is cracked" Harden is an all star role player (max contract) Howard is made of glass (his back will not hold up through out his 20+M/yr contract) Parsons (see Harden - but on a much better contact for now) Jones (hard one to judge but so are all the other players that are making impacts) Asik (REALLY like his play on the contract he is on - better value than even a healthy Howard, IMO) Bev (role player at best) Lin (see Bev on a BAD contract) Untuochable? NONE (would need a health return on some and would have to pay the other team to take some)
