Pelicans finalizing trade for Asik

[hornetnick13]

In Chicago, there was "Asik the freak" and the "Turkish hammer" were used as his nicknames -FYI

[TheDawg26]

As a Pels fan, I'd like to ask that everyone not overreact. We have no clue right now what the protection on the pick is since it's been all over the place. Let's just analyze Asik now and the pick later since we don't have the full details.

This! I'm just waiting on the actual details to unfold before I give a legit opinion. Personally, I don't mind giving up next year's first round and some cash for a proven legit big defensive C to pair up with AD. I hear people complaining about how much money we are going to pay but what do you think the Pelicans were going to use it on anyways?!? They needed and wanted to get a center whether in FA or trades and they get the guy they always wanted without having to trade away Ryno! What more could you have wanted!?!? Sign Monroe to a max deal and regret it two years later for having a high cap number on a number 4 option (like Eric Gordon). I truly think Dell has a trade lined up to get a SF in the draft and/or trade away Eric Gordon. Just relax!

[rt0307]

I ask myself does Asik push the needle to make this team a playoff team and honestly I don't feel comfortable the answer is a certain yes. Therefore I'm not thrilled about this deal. It makes us better now than before the deal. Looking at the landscape in the West does this make us better than Dallas, Phoenix, Portland, Golden State, or Memphis I just don't know.

The Pelicans had three big weaknesses at Center. Rim protection, rebounding, fouling. Asik checks all three boxes.

— David Fisher (@usnfish) June 26, 2014

[Eman5805]

So here is the official protection guys:



So if for someone reason they get a top 3 pick (highly unlikely), they get the pick, and the same for if we land the 20th or lower.

So this in fact DOES protect the most valuable parts (4-19) of the draft.

Totally fine with giving up a pick in the twenties.

Wait, wait, wait.

The way that is phrased it means if our pick wins the lottery or we make the playoffs Houston gets that pick. But if we don't win the lottery or barely sneak into the playoffs, then WE keep the pick. Is that what that means?

Who gets what in the what now?

[Smow-]

I'm going to trust Lowe when he says it's top 2/3s of the lottery protected and 20+ (meaning somewhere in 14-19 range going to HOU... all others staying w/ NOLA) than the other reports until proven otherwise

It's not just him either. Houston's Jon Feigen says it's top 10 protected: https://mobile.twitter.com/Jonathan_...94958576967680

Our knee-jerk fear comes from the fact that we saw the horrific injuries that killed us last season and how easy it would be for us to land in the same exact spot again.

Edit: it seems like the 4-19 is confirmed.

[DroopyDawg]

As far as a basketball move. I like the deal. Asik perfectly complements our roster. Dell just has no idea of value, or basketball economics, or maybe negotiation. It's frustrating

I love comments like this.

[PELICANSFAN]

So here is the official protection guys:



So if for someone reason they get a top 3 pick (highly unlikely), they get the pick, and the same for if we land the 20th or lower.

So this in fact DOES protect the most valuable parts (4-19) of the draft.

Totally fine with giving up a pick in the twenties.

You are misunderstanding. It apparently (if this is true) is only protected 1-3 and over 20. The over 20 is silly as well as it also protects Houston from getting a bad 1st round pick if we suddenly get very good.

[Eman5805]

I love comments like this.

Yeah, it's like "I like the car you bought, but you should've gotten it for way, way cheaper."

[504ByrdGang]

4-20 protection I can live with that

[Eman5805]

If this week ends with us trading Gordon. Then it won't all be for nothing.

[Pelifan]

Yeah, it's like "I like the car you bought, but you should've gotten it for way, way cheaper."

What's wrong with that. If we traded AD for LA it makes us better next year. But that's dumb. Same goes for this trade, but obviously on a much smaller scale.

[Primetime]

Dear God,

Can you please let me, as well as my Pelican friends know what the protection is on the pick? This way I can go back to drinking in celebration because its top 10 protected -- or I can drink myself into depression if it's not.

Thanks. I'll be good, I promise.

[Darkhorse985]

We could easily be picking 4-12 next year if this team cannot stay healthy. Just too much of gamble if this pick is not top-10 protected. Like I said, Dell should be fired if we give up a top 10 pick for Asik.

[DroopyDawg]

Yeah, it's like "I like the car you bought, but you should've gotten it for way, way cheaper."

Or maybe...

"Dell doesn't know what the hell he's doing... I'd be an NBA GM if I wasn't on a fan forum touting Dell's ignorance".

Protecting AD was what this move was about, and Asik was a solid move.

[Pelifan]

If this week ends with us trading Gordon. Then it won't all be for nothing.

Now this I can agree with. Hatred of Gordon the one uniting PR topic

[JunkHead]

What's wrong with that. If we traded AD for LA it makes us better next year. But that's dumb. Same goes for this trade, but obviously on a much smaller scale.

Slightly off-topic, but I work in law enforcement, and yesterday I saw a police report for a stolen vehicle. a 1997 Ford Crown Vic. Owner claimed it was worth $22,000. Because that's what he paid for it new. So there ya go.

[NOLA_Dave]

Pelicans: B+

Even if New Orleans' decision to part with a first-round pick so quickly after using one to land Holiday last summer is cause for a little queasiness, the Pelicans can't really be considered losers. When the alternate options at center are Jason Smith (who missed most of last season with a knee injury), Alexis Ajinca and Jeff Withey, you can understand why GM Dell Demps wouldn't draw a firm line in the sand when it comes to parting with a top-flight draft asset.

Davis has a chance to be a top 10 player in the NBA next season, and all of the Pelicans' major personnel moves should be conducted within the context of, "Does it make Davis's life easier and/or does it make Davis a better player?" With Asik, the answer to both questions is definitely yes. Davis will find life easier at the power forward position, where he can create mismatches with his versatility and save himself some of the physicality that comes with defending centers. What's more, the Davis/Asik pairing should work fairly well on both ends. Davis has enough versatility to step out away from the hoop offensively when paired with the low-post-bound Asik, and the two will wreak havoc on opponents' field goal percentages in the restricted area.

Landing Asik might not be a transformative acquisition -- a la Houston's signing of Howard -- but it plugs an obvious hole with a very capable peg. New Orleans will see its grade nudge up if it is able to re-sign Asik and keep him in town past next summer.

http://www.si.com/omer-asik-trade-rockets-pelicans

[UNO Gracias]

Does this move remove Andre Blatche from the BSS MLE tourney?

[PelicanFever]

I don't get why people are freaking out about the pick protection.

Our pick was 10 this season and we had the worst luck when it comes to injuries that I can remember in this franchise's history. So there is likely large improvement in itself. Then you take into account the upgrade of Asik over guys like Stiemsma, a likely upgrade of some kind over Aminu and the fact that Davis will probably be even better next season. We shouldn't be worrying about pick protection. Worst comes to worst we are trading the 14th pick in a bad draft. Most likely scenario is we barely keep the pick or give up the 18th or 19th pick, which would be the case if we finished 7th or 8th in the West (with the East being so bad).

[DroopyDawg]

Dear God,

Can you please let me, as well as my Pelican friends know what the protection is on the pick? This way I can go back to drinking in celebration because its top 10 protected -- or I can drink myself into depression if it's not.

Thanks. I'll be good, I promise.

Serious question... does it really matter where the pick falls?

The team is gonna try to win as many games as they can, and I don't really think they're gonna change the way they play and tank games just for a pick. That's why I don't know why people are spazzing out over where the pick is. Whatever it will be... will be.

[MichaelMcNamara]

Does this move remove Andre Blatche from the BSS MLE tourney?

Depending on how this trade is constructed, we probably won't have an MLE

[Smow-]

Serious question... does it really matter where the pick falls?

The team is gonna try to win as many games as they can, and I don't really think they're gonna change the way they play and tank games just for a pick. That's why I don't know why people are spazzing out over where the pick is. Whatever it will be... will be.

I'm more worried about the lottery non-protection. My current understanding is they get the pic if we win the lottery next time. How long does that stand as it rolls over?

[Pelicantoo]

I just wanna know how many Cody Zellers and Alex lens and Thomas robinsons and ekpe udohs and Bismarck biyombos it takes to make an asik.anyone have the recipe?

[Kibner]

Hey guys, I'm really happy right now.

[greewe]

Depending on how this trade is constructed, we probably won't have an MLE

Since Asik isn't an FA, can we not consummate the trade, resign Smith or somebody, and not technically have used cap space on any FAs, giving us the MLE?