But it is not exactly abnormal. We just had it turn out the worst possible way with Gordon. Washington HAD TO re-sign Gortat because they made the same trade we made with Asik. The Suns had to extend Bledsoe, and so on and so on. It is not abnormal.
I think the biggest mistake people could make is convincing themselves two situations are the same just because they have a few similarities.
I don't think you make your decision on Asik based on how Gordon turned out. I would argue that Gortat would be far more similar, and that seems fine so far.
It is like when Raiders fans say that they shouldn't draft the OT from Iowa this year because Robert Gallery busted. I never understand that logic. As for "overpaying" - all free agents get overpaid except for the max ones and the min ones. Having his Bird Rights put the Pelicans in a unique position that they wouldn't be in if they took your tactic.
I would love to have my cake and eat it too with regard to our center position. Yes, ideally, we would have the pick and get the guy we want in 2016 free agency, but Dell identified the guy he wanted and went and got him - giving up a pick that is projected to be Frank Kaminsky for the ability to get him in the system a year early and his Bird Rights. Now, people can question whether they like him as a player, but I think that is a different conversation.