Source: Blazers Identified As 'Wild Card' For Omer Asik

Totally agree

 

Not at all, especially with the teams involved. They all have players we could really use

 

yes, it certainly could be Morey droppin rumors to try to up Asik's value - all part of the game

 

All things considered, especially chemistry and cost, I'd rather have Hawes or Varejao coming off our bench. Not that they are available, but since we're throwing out names.

 

from what I have read Hawes is likely available, they want to TANK and Hawes is UFA

 

Absolutely that he wouldn't solve the lack of offensive production off the bench. He might help slow the other team down a bit.

A couple of point, some of which have already been brought up:

• New agent and one that has very good and recent deelings with Olshey
• T-Rob....can he even be included for a year after being traded her from Houston?
• Chemistry - if it is so fragile as to not be able to handle the business side of things, it probably wasn't going to last in tough times anyhow. I think the Blazers are tougher than that so adding a defensive presence would be ok.

I've checked with a couple of sources who had nothing of any specifics to add. Their feeling was NeO just trying to get involved for other assets or in a 3-way. They didn't see how Portland would have the assets to get him straight across either from a young, productive player aspect or draft picks which Portland is very thin on.

Interesting discussion though...

 

"Hey Asik, we know you aren't happy backing up Howard, but how about you go to a different team and back up Lopez."

 

And I would feel way more comfortable if Lopez (god forbids) goes down and misses 10-15 games. Just pop Asik in the starting rotation and we won't miss

 

Not necessarily. Contract status comes into play, too, and Hawes will get over $10m/year as a UFA, IMO. I'd rather keep Ropez at $5m for another year, then make a decision on him or the long-term center solution in summer 2015.

 

The difference is Howard is a career 38 minute guy and Lopez is a career 20-30 minute guy. And... In Portland's system, I could see Lopez and Asik able to play together, since Lopez is a team first guy.

 

Keep in mind that some of Asik's anger is that he signed with Houston as a free agent, and I'm sure he feels betrayed after putting up some pretty good numbers last year. He did not sign in Houston to be a backup.

 

Blow up the bench before it even gets to play together. That seems to be the result of the (non-stop) angst of a few posters.

 

This is a good point. he may be "ok" off the bench for a team and or GM that is honest with him. Olshey seems to have that rep around the league. I thin he goes to Philly, but he would be a great addition on paper.

I personally would like to find a player that could play the 4 and 5. Not sure Asik is that guy

 

Agreed. If he came here, he would know ahead of time what the situation was. They changed that on him in Houston in a big way. Also, although he makes $15MM next season, I believe only a little more than half of that counts against the salary cap.

 

We haven't heard any names yet. Do you think it's blowing up the bench if the trade is Leonard/Claver/Barton?

 

CJ is a rookie that has played ZERO minutes in the NBA or Pre Season.

 

So, the idea on Hawes is to bring him to Portland this year for 50-some games and playoffs, and then he's a UFA, so the only advantage Portland has is on a max contract in terms of retaining him?

This is a good idea ... how?

 

He isn't that guy. He is not an offensive player at all, and he's a horrible free throw shooter.

Also, out of all the teams that are supposedly talking to Houston, I have no idea why Philly is one of them. They're tanking, they've pretty much admitted to tanking, and I find it interesting that Michael Carter-Williams has suddenly come down with a mysterious skin infection after he had the team winning.

 

I think it would be more like "split time." Lopez isn't exactly logging 38 minutes a night.