Asik has asked for a trade

[Joey]

Don't people know yet that they just say the Raptors are interested in ALL available players.
It gets them an instant 1,000,000 hits.

I can't see why we'd go after Asik.
Unless they specifically want Novak and Stone for him, I doubt we'll get him.

[mcHAPPY]

Say good bye to JV's development if its true.

I still think a 3 way with Milwaukee makes the most sense:

Milwaukee gets Asik/Lowry
Houston gets Gay/Novak
Toronto gets Lin/Butler/Udoh (or Ridnour) and picks from Houston and Milwaukee

... this would start the Tank movement.

3 team trade is what I immediately thought of.

Asik is a starting C. A highly desirable commodity in the NBA.

The Raptors could facilitate or take Asik on and flip later.

[Rapstor4Life]

If we get Asik doesnt it actually mean

JV//Johnson
Asik/Hansborough

you dont get Asik and not start him..

[Joey]

If we get Asik doesnt it actually mean

JV//Johnson
Asik/Hansborough

you dont get Asik and not start him..

That's what Houston thought ... until they started Terrence Jones at PF over him.

[Doc]

I could live with big man rotation of JV, Asik and Hansbrough. Love Amir, but if moving him to acquire a guy like Asik is what needs to be done, then do it.

For years we've listen to our peers here and elsewhere about lack of consistent interior presence. Both offensively and defensively. And while JV is certainly this team's future in the frontcourt, having another presence like Asik will only help Jonas' development in my opinion. Not to mention feed off one another. Sure we wouldn't have that C or PF to stretch defense's, but to have two beasts in the paint to contest, block or deflect shots is terrifying for opposing teams. And don't forget offensively both have nice touches around the hoop. Having that interior presence would create less pressure on our wings, so overall I see it as a win-win for us. Not much to lose here.

If that means losing Amir to acquire a guy like Asik, then sign me up. I'm on board.

[tenforthewin]

Forget about Asik, he will hamper on JV's development. I say go for an established PF and move Amir + Lowry (when his stock is high)

[Axel]

Asik would help this team win this year, so I'm not in favour of acquiring him unless it's to flip him elsewhere. He has to be one of the better trade assets this year, so I can't see Morey giving him up for anything less than top dollar returns. Amir would be a great fit for Houston, I just don't see how this trade could work unless it is a 3-way deal from the get go.

[Rapstor4Life]

That's what Houston thought ... until they started Terrence Jones at PF over him.

That and he absolutely hates Dwight Howard but I think the reason has more to do with Houston's playstyle than anything else.

[Nilanka]

Am I the only one who has zero interest in Asik?

[Axel]

Am I the only one who has zero interest in Asik?

I have 0 interest from a basketball stand-point. But if you could somehow move Gay then flip Asik for something, then I'm all-in. Asik for a pick from Charlotte for example.

[Mediumcore]

can someone plz explain to me why asik and JV can not play on the floor at the same time? we already have hanborugh and JV on the floor together.

draft picks, JV, and ross are the only things I wouldnt put in a deal for this guy he has serious game.

My guess would be that neither are effective defenders outside of the paint. Who would guard Melo, Garnett, Thadeus Young, or Brandon Bass (PF in our conference)? If it was a more athletic big like Drummond I would say you could pair them with JV, but Asik...don't know if that works. I'd say if Raptors are indeed interested then it's part of a bigger deal. Can't see Houston wanting anything from us. What they want/need are a upgrade at PG, PF or the cap space to trade or sign a free agent.

[Nilanka]

I have 0 interest from a basketball stand-point. But if you could somehow move Gay then flip Asik for something, then I'm all-in. Asik for a pick from Charlotte for example.

I'm just not convinced Houston wants anything to do with Rudy.

[slaw]

I could live with big man rotation of JV, Asik and Hansbrough. Love Amir, but if moving him to acquire a guy like Asik is what needs to be done, then do it.

For years we've listen to our peers here and elsewhere about lack of consistent interior presence. Both offensively and defensively. And while JV is certainly this team's future in the frontcourt, having another presence like Asik will only help Jonas' development in my opinion. Not to mention feed off one another. Sure we wouldn't have that C or PF to stretch defense's, but to have two beasts in the paint to contest, block or deflect shots is terrifying for opposing teams. And don't forget offensively both have nice touches around the hoop. Having that interior presence would create less pressure on our wings, so overall I see it as a win-win for us. Not much to lose here.

If that means losing Amir to acquire a guy like Asik, then sign me up. I'm on board.

All you need to do is watch Houston play with Asik/Howard on the floor to realize that Asik/JV would not work. Houston's offense is clogged up entirely when they are on the floor together and Houston actually has guys that can shoot threes. On defense, Asik/JV would not be quick enough to rotate and defend from range. Houston is getting killed from distance this year on defense when Howard/Asik are out there.

In any case, the Raps have nothing the Rockets need. It would have to be part of a three-way deal and those are difficult to pull off.

[Axel]

I'm just not convinced Houston wants anything to do with Rudy.

Oh I agree. Morey trading for Gay is about as likely as Bargnani replacing Rob Ford, but if we are discussing pipe-dreams (haha, get it, Rob Ford, pipe-dreams) then I'm fine with it. Only way it happens is a 3-way with Houston not getting Gay and us not getting Asik, which begs the question, are we even necessary for this equation? Possibly just to make the money work but unlikely. Houston could just trade Asik to Charlotte for a pick and be done with it.

[Nilanka]

Oh I agree. Morey trading for Gay is about as likely as Bargnani replacing Rob Ford, but if we are discussing pipe-dreams (haha, get it, Rob Ford, pipe-dreams) then I'm fine with it. Only way it happens is a 3-way with Houston not getting Gay and us not getting Asik, which begs the question, are we even necessary for this equation? Possibly just to make the money work but unlikely. Houston could just trade Asik to Charlotte for a pick and be done with it.

Exactly.

The Raptors "interest" in Asik could simply be Masai being, "Hey Morey, who do you want for Omer?", and hearing nothing but silence in return.