Pelicans finalizing trade for Asik

[Mount Zion]

Maybe I just don't understand basketball the way I should or maybe it's just NBA basketball I don't understand. Or maybe I don't understand that the objective is to "win the cap" rather than win basketball games. It seems to me that a guy like Asik, with his outstanding defensive and rebounding skills, is exactly what the Pelicans need to free AD to be the best he can be on both ends of the court. With all of the talk on here that this move will hamstring Demps from getting a quality SF, you'd think we were tipping off the season tomorrow instead of entering free agency and the time that trades go down. I do get the Pelicans' need to find a SF that can contribute on the offensive end and create space, but I'd like to see how this trade is structured and what Demps does to create the cap room before I go jumping off any bridges.

It's entirely possible that Asik can't be re-signed, but I think it's just as likely that he can be. But even if he doesn't re-sign, next year a number of centers are eligible for free agency and there should be ample room to sign one. I personally believe that Asik could be the best option for the Pelicans after next season (depending of course on how much he wants) and I think he will see it that way too. In a worst case scenario, the Pelicans will have acceptable options, but I think Asik will be the center here for the next several seasons. And I think that will be a good thing.

[Ludiculous]

Maybe I just don't understand basketball the way I should or maybe it's just NBA basketball I don't understand. Or maybe I don't understand that the objective is to "win the cap" rather than win basketball games. It seems to me that a guy like Asik, with his outstanding defensive and rebounding skills, is exactly what the Pelicans need to free AD to be the best he can be on both ends of the court. With all of the talk on here that this move will hamstring Demps from getting a quality SF, you'd think we were tipping off the season tomorrow instead of entering free agency and the time that trades go down. I do get the Pelicans' need to find a SF that can contribute on the offensive end and create space, but I'd like to see how this trade is structured and what Demps does to create the cap room before I go jumping off any bridges.

It's entirely possible that Asik can't be re-signed, but I think it's just as likely that he can be. But even if he doesn't re-sign, next year a number of centers are eligible for free agency and there should be ample room to sign one. I personally believe that Asik could be the best option for the Pelicans after next season (depending of course on how much he wants) and I think he will see it that way too. In a worst case scenario, the Pelicans will have acceptable options, but I think Asik will be the center here for the next several seasons. And I think that will be a good thing.

This. Stuff. Here. Well said. You win tonight.

[tyler]

If asik isn't a good fit for the pels then who is? I just want to know

[Vinny6420]

Yeah people's standards are hard to match on here.

[Jabberwalker]

Maybe I just don't understand basketball the way I should or maybe it's just NBA basketball I don't understand. Or maybe I don't understand that the objective is to "win the cap" rather than win basketball games. It seems to me that a guy like Asik, with his outstanding defensive and rebounding skills, is exactly what the Pelicans need to free AD to be the best he can be on both ends of the court. With all of the talk on here that this move will hamstring Demps from getting a quality SF, you'd think we were tipping off the season tomorrow instead of entering free agency and the time that trades go down. I do get the Pelicans' need to find a SF that can contribute on the offensive end and create space, but I'd like to see how this trade is structured and what Demps does to create the cap room before I go jumping off any bridges.

It's entirely possible that Asik can't be re-signed, but I think it's just as likely that he can be. But even if he doesn't re-sign, next year a number of centers are eligible for free agency and there should be ample room to sign one. I personally believe that Asik could be the best option for the Pelicans after next season (depending of course on how much he wants) and I think he will see it that way too. In a worst case scenario, the Pelicans will have acceptable options, but I think Asik will be the center here for the next several seasons. And I think that will be a good thing.

Agree with everything except this. The thing is we are now FORCED to dump money. We absolutely have to make a trade of some kind. Moving Gordon would be great but seems pretty tough to do. Rivers is an option. Stinks to lose him for nothing but that's not the worst. But based off of what has been said by RekeHavoc, it sounds like Ryno is the most likely to be moved.

But let's examine which of the three things happen.

If Gordon is moved for basically anything then everything is right with the world. But, again, it is unlikely.

If Rivers is moved then we will have enough money to absorb Asik's contract, but as Demps said, we aren't going over the cap, so what kind of SFs will we target? We need two and will have little to no money to do it. And these SFs will be our two full time SFs. While either Asik, or Ryno sit at the end of the games, this minimum salary SF will be playing.

If Ryno is moved then maybe we can get a decent to good SF on a low salary in return. But we lose a player who was the most important piece of our offense last year. Remember that when he went down? It was obvious that he was the most important part of our offense. So why the change of plan? And if you're dong that then you are basically doing the Asik for Ryno swap but a year later, and not even getting the year of Omer's decent salary.

[Jabberwalker]

If asik isn't a good fit for the pels then who is? I just want to know

I know my initial post and reactions are long but I mention them in there in more detail. Basically Hill, Okafor, Blatche, Dalembert, Hawes... Low contract guys that allowed for us to get a decent SF so all our players could be on the court at the same time.

[Jabberwalker]

Personally, I love differing opinions - and I laugh at the idea that I am the consensus on this board. I feel like people come at me just as hard as anybody, if not harder. But we probably all feel that way.

I think people here bash the team a lot. I think the Asik trade and AD are two of the rare instances where there is almost universal agreement. I dont think its the norm at all.

People don't go as hard after me as they did with studentofthegam or DaThrone. I have seen people mix it up with you too. But I think there are many who follow your lead more than think objectively.

If we end up having to dump Rivers for nothing though, and end up signing two minimum contract SFs like Aminu and Travis Outlaw, will this still be a good deal? Because to me that is now as likely a scenario as us getting someone like Ariza, Sefelosha, or Tucker. Hope I'm wrong.

[Vinny6420]

I know my initial post and reactions are long but I mention them in there in more detail. Basically Hill, Okafor, Blatche, Dalembert, Hawes... Low contract guys that allowed for us to get a decent SF so all our players could be on the court at the same time.

We dont need a superstar SF... we just need one that can hit the three and defend. Reke and Jrue will be the Primary ball handlers.. as long as our SF can stick to his man, we're solid. Asik helps Davis out in multiple ways, that is crazy beneficial to his potential.

[redrum]

Personally, I love differing opinions - and I laugh at the idea that I am the consensus on this board. I feel like people come at me just as hard as anybody, if not harder. But we probably all feel that way.

I think people here bash the team a lot. I think the Asik trade and AD are two of the rare instances where there is almost universal agreement. I dont think its the norm at all.

Well you have created the legend that is P J Tucker.

[Jabberwalker]

We dont need a superstar SF... we just need one that can hit the three and defend. Reke and Jrue will be the Primary ball handlers.. as long as our SF can stick to his man, we're solid. Asik helps Davis out in multiple ways, that is crazy beneficial to his potential.

Agreed. But I don't think many of us were expecting much more. So who is the SF that fits the bill to you now? Who are the two 3 and D SFs who sign for less than the MLE?

[Nola3]

I know my initial post and reactions are long but I mention them in there in more detail. Basically Hill, Okafor, Blatche, Dalembert, Hawes... Low contract guys that allowed for us to get a decent SF so all our players could be on the court at the same time.

Please never stop posting long responses just because some people blatantly ignore them. You are easily my favorite poster on here because everything you say is well thought out and nuanced, while also being probably the most objective person on here.

[Vinny6420]

Agreed. But I don't think many of us were expecting much more. So who is the SF that fits the bill to you now? Who are the two 3 and D SFs who sign for less than the MLE?

If that rumored trade of Martin for Gordon happens, and Budinger is included, I would be ecstatic. He can hold it down, and have Aminu off the bench. During some stretches we can use either Davis, or Reke. Budinger and Aminu would eat up a bit of minutes.

If I had to pick one, out of any non all star, it would be Parsons

[Jabberwalker]

Please never stop posting long responses just because some people blatantly ignore them. You are easily my favorite poster on here because everything you say is well thought out and nuanced, while also being probably the most objective person on here.

Thank you sir, made my night. Thanks for caring enough to read. I know it isn't always easy to read my walls of text and I know I'm not the best with concisely or clearly getting my point across so it takes me longer to get my points made. You rule.

[LouisianaPride]

Orlando seems to have a logjam at the Forward position. I would LOVE to get Harkless or Harris

[HornetGuru]

Dont get me started on harkless, I would kill to have him

[LouisianaPride]

I have absolutely no idea how Orlando values either. Couldn't begin to know what they'd want

[Nola3]

Thank you sir, made my night. Thanks for caring enough to read. I know it isn't always easy to read my walls of text and I know I'm not the best with concisely or clearly getting my point across so it takes me longer to get my points made. You rule.

Most points worth making don't fit into two sentences and a youtube clip. Also, for what its worth, I don't think this trade is all sunshines and butterflies either. It handcuffs us way too much and gives any trading partner complete leverage, knowing we have to get rid of salary. I also think we gave up too much when everyone knew Houston needed to get rid of Asik to go after Melo. Although I do like the fit more than you seem to.

[Hard'n'DaPaint]

I'm wondering are we allowed to negociate with HOU to not match Parsons contract if we go after him in free agency?

[Perth_Hornet]

Asik is easily capable of putting up 28 and 14 nights. Mega excited.

Only downer is what we have to shed to acquire him (outside of Gordon).

[Perth_Hornet]

I'm wondering are we allowed to negociate with HOU to not match Parsons contract if we go after him in free agency?

Dat collusion??

[David Fisher]

I do wonder why we here fear that NOLA has to dump salary and therefore is negotiating from a disadvantage. The same could be said of Morey in Houston trying to dump salary (Asik and Lin) to have max cap space. I have yet to see anyone state the Pelicans got a steal by waiting Houston out. The cost was a quality player AND a pick or two firsts (plus a third swap right) in December. Demps just paid a third of that cost. Protections are a source for anxiety yet do not forget the rash of injuries and sub par performance at center this past season. Pelicans still handed over just the 10th pick.

[MichaelMcNamara]

People don't go as hard after me as they did with studentofthegam or DaThrone. I have seen people mix it up with you too. But I think there are many who follow your lead more than think objectively.

If we end up having to dump Rivers for nothing though, and end up signing two minimum contract SFs like Aminu and Travis Outlaw, will this still be a good deal? Because to me that is now as likely a scenario as us getting someone like Ariza, Sefelosha, or Tucker. Hope I'm wrong.

I think you are, and that is why my very first post to you was to say that I think your observations were good, but that it would be smarter to wait 10 days until it all plays out. The Asik deal is not a deal in a vacuum. There will be other moves and that will be the time to evaluate. Not now.

[Kibner]

I have absolutely no idea how Orlando values either. Couldn't begin to know what they'd want

Probably as much as we value Rivers. Maybe less. They bad.

Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk 2

[Kibner]

Asik is easily capable of putting up 28 and 14 nights. Mega excited.

Only downer is what we have to shed to acquire him (outside of Gordon).

I don't even know if Asik's career high is 28 points. He will get you 10-12 most nights. Any more than that is a pleasant surprise.

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[Hard'n'DaPaint]

Dat collusion??

Haha ! Our GM is Dealer Dell you know ! I'm asking because I like what Parsons could bring but I don't know if it's possible.