December Trade: Houston / Portland / Atlanta

[RoyalWun]

PDX trades: Wesley Matthews + Robin Lopez for Omer Asik + DeShawn Stevenson

If they feel Crabbe/Barton/McCollum are becoming more NBA ready, they can get the Center they want.

HOU trades: Omer Asik for Paul Millsap

A backup C for a starting PF. Millsap/Howard would be a damn good front court.

ATL trades: Paul Millsap + DeShawn Stevenson for Wesley Matthews + Robin Lopez

We know Horford wants to play PF so getting Lopez would help that, and they get a more solid option at SG.

[LarsV8]

Certainly possible

[niffoc4]

I think the Hawks would rather do Millsap for Asik straight up if that is an option... and I doubt Deshawn Stevenson (unguaranteed contract) will be with the team on opening night. The only reason he hasn't been cut is that he could be useful in trades.

[parson]

I think the Hawks would rather do Millsap for Asik straight up if that is an option...

Without a doubt.

Thanks to the OP for pointing out this out.

[HornetJail]

i actually prefer OP's trade for ATL than just a straight swap for Asik and Millsap.

ATL has nothing on the wings right now, which is probably a bigger weakness than center/power forward. Matthews and Lopez fill two holes quite well, while Asik fills just one hole slightly better. Just my two cents.

[Golabki]

I think the Hawks would rather do Millsap for Asik straight up if that is an option... and I doubt Deshawn Stevenson (unguaranteed contract) will be with the team on opening night. The only reason he hasn't been cut is that he could be useful in trades.

Agreed.

Millsap is a perfect fit for Houston. He can defend both the Randolphs and LeBrons of the world and hit jumpers.

If the Hawks do want to move Horford to the 4-spot, Asik is perfect. Houston might toss in T. Jones or a pick.

[HawksFlyHigh]

Hawks tanking for Wiggins!!

Go Hawks

[Xman]

Milsap signed for 2 years/19 mil I think. Probably 9 in year 1 and 10 in year 2.

Rox would probably love to get Milsap for Asik - I think it is a fair deal and salary is close enough.
So, the question becomes what is best deal ATL can get for Asik - or even just Milsap if he is worth more than Asik at that time (that is if they do not want to pair him up with Horford - which would be nice).
The OP idea is solid.
If ATL want to really tank - then focus will be picks.

CHA - if CHA is competing but fills it needs help - it has 3 #1 in 2014 (CHA if top 8 otherwise goes to Chic, Port & DET with protection).
CHIC - If Rose is solid and bigs are hurt - then might package that CHA pick and their own pick for Milsap or Asik.
GSW and NO - might be really interested but weak on picks so more complicated.

[zapatasblood]

Hawks tanking for Wiggins!!

Go Hawks

Yeah but Philly and Boston already has a head start. Can't count out the Jazz, Suns and dare I say it the Lakers.

I think the Hawks would rather do Millsap for Asik straight up if that is an option... and I doubt Deshawn Stevenson (unguaranteed contract) will be with the team on opening night. The only reason he hasn't been cut is that he could be useful in trades.

Agreed.

Millsap is a perfect fit for Houston. He can defend both the Randolphs and LeBrons of the world and hit jumpers.

If the Hawks do want to move Horford to the 4-spot, Asik is perfect. Houston might toss in T. Jones or a pick.

Asik for Milsap is more then fair. No reason to add anything else

[Br0ken_Sp0ke]

Never been a big fan of Millsap, but that two year deal he signed does have its advantages over some of the other possibilities. Perfect contract to allow us to go after Love/LMA in 2015, so I probably say yes to this.

[RoyalWun]

As Biz said this deal is mainly to fill two of Atlanta's glaring holes (SG and Center) instead of just one (Center).

Its obvious Atlanta isnt tanking. No team trying to tank would sign Paul Millsap and I dont care what your reasoning is. They are obviously trying to win games. Plus if/when they lose Teague it is rumored they will go after Mo Williams. Again, not a tanking move.

[parson]

How many Rocket fans would trade Asik for Millsap, straight up (on Dec. 15, of course)?

[Trader_Joe]

As Biz said this deal is mainly to fill two of Atlanta's glaring holes (SG and Center) instead of just one (Center).

Its obvious Atlanta isnt tanking. No team trying to tank would sign Paul Millsap and I dont care what your reasoning is. They are obviously trying to win games. Plus if/when they lose Teague it is rumored they will go after Mo Williams. Again, not a tanking move.

They kept Teague.

I think they are trying to win now as the KK and Millsap deals indicate but if they are not making any noise in the regular season they have some easy to move pieces and could tank pretty quickly.

Right now I'm not sure they are any better than Milwaukee, Washington, Detroit, Cleveland, Toronto as in the teams fighting for those last 3 playoff spots after Miami, BK, NY, Indy and Chicago.

[inquisitive]

i wouldn't minded having milsap on houston, but that ship has sailed now....i already like what i see from tjones this summer...playing alongside howard can't hurt either.

[tcorbin]

You never know what players will be injured when the trade deadlines comes around and what team are going to make a playoff push.

Houston could make a trade. Toronto might also want to get Millsap come the deadline, espeically if they feel like they can make the playoffs.

maybe, Millsap and Korver for Amir Johnson, Landry Fields, and a protected 1st round pick.

If a player like Zach Randolph has to miss some time with an injury, a team like Memphis could look into Millsap as a season replacement or insurance for Zach, espeically since he is a soon to be free agent.

Atlanta would like a guy like Asik, or a young player, or even a protected 1st round pick for a guy like Millsap.

[parson]

i wouldn't minded having milsap on houston, but that ship has sailed now....

So you think it's over? If the offer came on Dec. 15, what would you think then?