Offseason Trade Target: Omer Asik?

[Jamaaliver]

it's been a little slow around here, so instead of mulling the rough patch the team is currently mired in, I thought we might brainstorm a few ideas on how we might still gain value for Josh Smith in the offseason. (Even though it's become abundantly clear he should have been traded last season. But, I digress.)

Based on the news that Houston will indeed pursue Bynum, D12 or Josh during free agency, as stated below:

The Houston Rockets continue to plan for an offseason in which they will pursue a prominent free agent big man.
Sources say the Rockets' preference is to sign Dwight Howard, but will pursue Andrew Bynum and Josh Smith as alternatives.
The Rockets have publicly acknowledged that they need a second star to pair with James Harden

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/226590/Rockets-Still-Plan-On-Pursuing-Dwight-Bynum-Josh-Smith


What if we offer to sign and trade Josh to Hou for Asik, allowing Hous to pursue Josh Smith AND one of the free agent Centers?

Some creative contract construction would be required (like maybe backloading Josh's contract), but Asik has proven a defensive force on a pretty solid contract. (Two more years, 8.3 million per year.)

We immediately go from one of the worst rebounding teams to one of the best, ATL no longer has to invest big money at the center position. Hoford's mid-range game and passing ability go well with Asik's limited offensive game.

Josh serves as a capable 2nd option to Harden, is a better scoring and shot blocker than Asik and, most importantly, could help HOU recruit either Bynum or D12 or even AL Jefferson.

With Center covered for only $8 million, that leaves us plenty of money to pursue a top free agent at SG or SF. (Or even PG)

Asik working the offensive boards and even manning the middle of a 2-1-2 zone defense could cause matchup nightmares for undersized teams like MIA.

He becomes our Roy Hibbert, our Tyson Chandler.

A team of, say, Asik, Horford, and perhaps Iggy could matchup defensively with any team in the league.

Thoughts?

Any other viable trade ideas?

[azuresou1]

A trade rumor during the season was Asik + Parsons for Josh Smith, which would have been a MAJOR steal for us.
I don't think we could fetch the same value, but if Houston were willing to bite on Josh + getting their 1st back for Asik/Parsons because Dwight demands Josh there, I would jump in a second.

A Teague/Parsons/Horford/Asik core would be very solid and still pretty young, and all we'd need would be a dynamic 2 guard. Granted, those are hardly a dime a dozen, but there would still be some interesting targets, like OJ Mayo + we could look at guys like Markel Brown or Archie Goodwin.

[Jamaaliver]

A trade rumor during the season was Asik + Parsons for Josh Smith, which would have been a MAJOR steal for us.
I don't think we could fetch the same value, but if Houston were willing to bite on Josh + getting their 1st back for Asik/Parsons because Dwight demands Josh there, I would jump in a second.

Agreed. But I hear HOU is reluctant to trade Chandler Parsons at all. The pretty boy is great for marketing and puts alot of female fans in the stands.

It'd be hilarious if we managed to trade HOU's own draft pick back to them though.

[Yungsta404]

they are not trading asik when they can just sign smoove..

[Jamaaliver]

they are not trading asik when they can just sign smoove..

It's indeed a long shot.

They'd have to be pursuing Dwight for It to work.

Just thinking out loud.

[parson]

I've been proposing this on the Trade Board for awhile now, with mixed opinions being offered by others. Most agree it's doable. The HOU fans are insulted by the idea of Parsons being added.

[azuresou1]

I've been proposing this on the Trade Board for awhile now, with mixed opinions being offered by others. Most agree it's doable. The HOU fans are insulted by the idea of Parsons being added.

Figures, as someone who's partial to the Rockets I can certainly see why... we'd be ripping them off a decent amount.

Still, I think it's more likely Jim Buss will refuse to S&T Dwight and make him walk for less money than Danny Ferry would with Josh.

[parson]

Still, I think it's more likely Jim Buss will refuse to S&T Dwight and make him walk for less money than Danny Ferry would with Josh.

2nd to signing Howard and re-signing Smith, this has been my fondest hope (in a basketball sense, of course).

[Rip2137]

If they sign Dwight you have a unhappy, overpaid backup Center. I think they would have to think long and hard about Smith/Zaza(to give them a backup big) and a 1st for Asik and filler.

We would be giving up PROBABLY too much, but the team would be better.