Golden State has new management, the Lacob-Guber ownership group, who wants to win now. Golden State is gunning for the playoffs and believe, perhaps correctly, that they are only one defensive big man away from challenging in the Western Conference. Earlier this week, Mark Jackson reiterated to the Contra Costa Times that he believes the Warriors are still in the playoff hunt: We can go back and forth on whether it's in the best long-term interest of Golden State to gun for the playoffs, but I understand the desire of new ownership to show that they are taking winning seriously, especially given the last Warriors ownership's nonchalance. Regardless, this opens up an opportunity for the Bulls and Warriors to reach a deal on Asik, who could possibly single handedly change the complexion of a team like the Warriors. Asik would fill out the Warriors roster and give them starter caliber players at every position: Steph Curry, Monta Ellis, Dorrell Wright, David Lee, and Omer. Trying to retain both Asik and Gibson is not going to be easy under the new collective bargaining agreement for the Bulls, especially if either of them command top dollar in free agency, which they could. I'm not particularly interested in trading Asik because the league is filled with big men who slowly developed over the course of their careers, until the became better than solid. I could see Asik developing offensively over the next few years, even if he has stalled a little bit this season. If this appears to be a little step back for now, the Bulls have a long window to gun for a championship. Rose, Gibson, Noah and Deng (although I have argued otherwise) could be only approaching the meat of their careers. The Bulls in these circumstances may actually be able to show more patience than a team like Golden State, or at least, a different type of patience. Gibson with his 7'4'' reach can play a fair amount of center, as he has this season, especially with teams playing small ball. Outside of Indiana and the Magic, it's conceivable that Asik isn't going to be a huge help in the playoffs against teams like the Heat and, if the Bulls get by the Heat, a potential Thunder match up. And who knows what D12 is going to do. I also think a Noah-Gibson-Mirotic-Boozer big man rotation will be more versatile than an Noah-Mirotic-Asik-Boozer big man rotation. There just aren't a ton of real centers in the league whom Noah and Gibson cannot handle, and I think being able to play Noah and Gibson together is a real blessing. What would it take to make a deal happen: an unprotected first in the 2012 draft and some minor assets? Am I wrong here? Would you take that deal?
GSW currently has the 8th worst record in the league at 6-12, although they could obviously be better after an Asik trade. If things stay constant the Bulls would most likely end up with the 8th pick in the draft with the following percentages: 1st 2.8% 2nd 3.3% 3rd 3.9% 8th 72.4% 9th 16.8% 10th .8% 11th less than .1% (but possible)
The Warriors can not trade any first round picks until their pick owned by the Jazz is redeemed. This is because the pick dealt for Marcus Williams is top 7 protected in 2012 and 2013, top 6 protected in 2014, and turns into a 2014 second and a 2016 second round pick if not received by 2014. I believe Utah acquired it in the Deron Williams deal.
Thanks Run. That puts an end to that. Too bad, since Asik also seems to fit well in GSW's salary cap structure, with Biedrins coming off the books in the first year that Asik can receive more than 5.5 million, as per the Arenas Rule. You have to wonder about some of these teams that trade away heavily protected first round picks -- it severely limits their ability to make mid-season transactions.
Yeah, doesn't look like a great fit for either team. Hey, while you're here. I've seen that Trey Thompson is starting to put up solid numbers. I haven't had the opportunity to catch a Ws game since the first couple of weeks of the season. How's he coming along?
