Okay, the thread title pretty much says it all. Since Asik isn't willing to play backup behind Howard, what about moving Lopez along with Freeland to the Rockets in exchange for Asik? I see him as significantly better than Lopez. In case you're wondering, yes the Blazers are free to move Lopez immediately upon completion of the 3-way trade. Larry Coon's FAQ says a player can't be moved: The Blazers aren't over the cap. Houston could use a solid backup C. Maybe Houston can find a better return, but Asik's backloaded salary is going to be a bit of a hindrance to some NBA teams taking him. I don't see PA as blinking at spending the money. I think it would be pretty nifty bit of GMing if Olshey could pull it off. Thoughts?
+1! They commit to less money for less years on a guy who's only going to play 15 minutes a night anyways. I would think that Lopez would be a great backup center.
I think this would be a very good move. Maybe I'm just not a "Sideshow Rob" fan (at least as a starter) but I think Asik would be a very good starting center, acting as a true defensive anchor and good defensive rebounder who wouldn't get in the way of LaMarcus. I gotta think Morey would want us to sweeten the pot though.
Asik's backloaded salary won't mean anything to our cap, only Chicago's. Hence the term, "poison pill." It will still only be like 8.3mil on our cap or any other team outside of CHI.
Lopez and Asik are a lot closer statistically than people think. MM showed comparison and here are some great points Asik 27 Lopez 25 per 36 Asik 12/14/ 1.3blks Lopez 16/8/ 2.2 blks Per Asik 16.9 Lopez 18.9 Ft% Asik .562 Lopez .778 And Lopez contract is a hell of a lot better.
I like it but would the Rockets do this insted....Lopez, Freeland and Mathews to the Rockets for Asik and Parsons?
It's even worse, asik's PER is not 16.9 last year,but 14.9 http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/asikom01.html Lopez is the better player and most importantly the better rim protector.
Lopez isn't even close to being the better player in the skills we desperately need. ORB%: Asik: 13.4% Lopez: 11.5% DRB%: Asik: 27.8% Lopez: 14.3% TRB%: Asik: 20.7% Lopez: 12.9% DRTG: Asik: 99 Lopez: 109 DWS: Asik 8.2 Lopez: 4.1 Robin is serviceable but I'll take Omer over him every day of the week
So basically the only numbers you are looking at are rebounds. I'm not saying Lopez is better but he might not be as far apart as some claim. He's a better shot blocker, ft shooter and has better per. He also has a better contract and we already have him and don't have to trade assets to get a different player. He'll if all we need is rebounding keep Hickson.
Interestingly, 82games shows that although Asik has better individual rebound numbers, Lopez actually has better team rebound numbers. Asik's opposing centers also get more rebounds than Lopez' do. Easy to cherry pick stats to show one as being better than the other. I agree that Asik is clearly the better defender (both individually and team), but I think Lopez is probably the better offensive player. For the cost difference, I don't know that Asik is necessarily worth it.
And they're giving up Parsons, who has the most value in the deal especially with his cheap contract.
Lopez boxes out his man better. Sometimes I think people get caught up with raw numbers. Kevin Love is a great rebounder for sure, but even his numbers are inflated because he'll go for the rebound over the right play, ie. leaving guys open so he can get a rebound, taking rebounds away from teammates.
Ya I was cherrypicking for rebounding and defensive stats, the skills we need out of our C. Lopez is the better offensive player-- he doesn't have stone hands like Asik.
