Omer Asik talks progressing - TODAY - UPDATE

Omer Asik talks progressing

By Marc Stein and Brian Windhorst | ESPN.com


Would you like to see the Celtics trade for Rockets big man Omer Asik?

 Yes ... even if it means losing either Jeff Green or Brandon Bass as part of the package.
 No

The latest on the Boston Celtics' interest in Houston Rockets center Omer Asik:
Numerous teams consulted by ESPN.com in recent days have said they are convinced the Rockets will indeed go ahead with a trade headlined by Asik before their self-imposed deadline of Dec. 19, with sources saying Tuesday that the Boston Celtics are increasingly active in the Asik talks.



Omer Asik, right, has been unhappy in Houston since Dwight Howard arrived in July.
As a result, the Celtics now are widely regarded as the strongest rivals to the Philadelphia 76ers in terms of likely destinations for Asik, with many rival executives expecting the final form of a trade built around the 7-footer from Turkey to feature at least three teams. ...

One possible scenario that has emerged, sources say, is a three-way trade in which Boston lands Asik, Cleveland absorbs the contract of Celtics forward Jeff Green and Houston scores no fewer than one of the future first-round picks it covets for surrendering Asik. Other players would have to be involved in such a trade to make the salary-cap math work, but it's the sort of trade that would fall in line with Cleveland's well-known focus on upgrading its options at small forward.

The Cavaliers pursued Green in free agency two summers ago before Green re-signed with Boston and, as ESPN.com reported Sunday , have shown far more interest recently in finding a new small forward than going ahead with the rumored Varejao-for-Asik swap. ...

ESPN.com reported Sunday that Celtics forward Brandon Bass is another possible trade target for the Rockets, despite the fact that his contract runs for one more year than Hawes' deal.

Sources say the Rockets are conflicted about taking back Philadelphia's Thaddeus Young or the Celtics' Green because each player has two more seasons left on his contract after this one. If either Young (owed $19.4 million in 2014-15 and 2015-16) or Green (owed $18.4 million over the same span) is involved in the eventual Asik trade, Houston almost certainly will need a third team to absorb the contract of either player, since the Rockets need to maintain as much future flexibility as possible to re-sign forward Chandler Parsons, who quickly has blossomed into a key cog in Houston and will command a huge raise when he eventually makes it to free agency.
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NBA trade rumor: Wednesday morning updates on Asik rumors

SB NATION

By Jeff Clark 

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Stein says that the Celtics are very much in it. Bulpett says that things have cooled. Time will tell.


Overnight Marc Stein elaborated on his tweets with an updated trade rumor article.  In it he describes the Celtics as the "strongest rivals" to the 76ers for landing Omer Asik.  The Atlanta Hawks are mentioned, but they are (rightly) hesitant to give up Paul Millsap in an Asik deal.  Other teams are mentioned, including Cleveland, but it sounds like they'd be more likely to be part of the deal as a 3rd team facilitator.

Here's the juiciest bit.

Houston Rockets on track to trade Omer Asik; Boston Celtics emerging - ESPN

One possible scenario that has emerged, sources say, is a three-way trade in which Boston lands Asik, Cleveland absorbs the contract of Celtics forward Jeff Green and Houston scores no fewer than one of the future first-round picks it covets for surrendering Asik. Other players would have to be involved in such a trade to make the salary-cap math work, but it's the sort of trade that would fall in line with Cleveland's well-known focus on upgrading its options at small forward.
So the Cavs would get Jeff Green and presumably they would be the ones giving up the draft pick to get him (so the Celtics would keep all their picks).  If Houston can get a draft pick plus some spare parts from Cleveland, that might be their best value but I'm still not sold on giving up Jeff Green for Asik.

Which hints at where this source might be coming from. You see, with trade rumors, you always have to consider who's leaking the info and what agenda they have.

For instance, another report this morning posted by the venerable Steve Bulpett seems to have a different spin.  If anything, it sounds like the Celtics are (at least publicly) in no hurry to do anything.

Celts holding off on any trades for now | Boston Herald

The Celtics are not trying to tweak their roster for a deep playoff run, as has been the case in recent years. They are under no pressure to make a key move and get a new player in tune with their rotation. Ainge can wait to see how the market is shaking out, knowing it’s highly likely he’ll be in a better position to deal when teams grow more nervous as the shopping days dwindle. The Celtics, indeed, tried to get in the running for Houston center Omer Asik and had some talks along those lines, but unless they can get involved as part of a multiple-team transaction, it appeared that the Rockets weren’t interested in what the Celts might be offering.
That sounds kind of like posturing to me.  The Rockets are the ones with the self imposed deadline of Dec. 19th to trade Asik and the Celtics, while interested, aren't going to jump through hoops just to get the deal done on Houston's terms.

Sounds like the team hasn't necessarily shifted into "win now" mode as some outlets would want you to believe.

What is known at this point is that, as has been reported here for a while, the Celtics are very much interested in making one or more deals that would take them further away from the luxury tax line and, thus, preserve and grow their flexibility as they continue their rebuilding efforts.
So will a trade occur involving the Celtics in the next day or two?  It isn't clear yet but I wouldn't touch that dial.
112288

CELTICS CANNOT TRADE GREEN....HE IS THEIR ONLY LEGIT SCORER IN THE PAINT OR BEYOND THE ARCH!

THIS MAKES NO SENSE.......TRUE ASIK IS A DEFENSIVE MINDED CENTER BUT WE ALSO NEED SCORING. 

RATHER SEE WALLACE GONE NOT GREEN.

ASIK IS NOT WORTH A DRAFT PICK IF A PLAYER LIKE GREEN IS INVOLVED.

BASS WOULD BE THE BETTER OPTION TO TRADE.

112288

Chris Mannix        ✔ @ChrisMannixSI
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Consistently hearing that BOS isn't all that enthralled with Asik. League source on if Jeff Green could be involved in Asik deal: "No way."
5:34 AM - 18 Dec 2013



bob



.

If you are hearing they are "not enthralled with Asik" he will probably be suited up for tonights game.............

beat

Here's the latest tidbit, for what it's worth. Coming from Wojnarowski, I'll believe it more than something from Bleacher Report, but it still comes with the customary grain of salt.

This at least makes sense, because the rumors involving Jeff Green make no sense at all. It will be interesting to see if Bass, Lee, or anybody else in the rotation is a DNP-CD tonight.

Celtics' trade talks for Rockets center Omer Asik heating up
Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo Sports

The Boston Celtics have gained traction in trade talks to acquire Houston Rockets center Omer Asik, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

The talks have centered on a package including forward Brandon Bass, guard Courtney Lee and a first-round pick, sources said. It's unclear if Lee will go to the Rockets or be routed to a third team.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/hawks--celtics--cavaliers--76ers-lead-pack-to-acquire-rockets-center-omer-asik-053218781.html

Well if its gonna happen, let's get it over with...

I wonder if they will send clippers pick?

I think Danny is using this hype as a stalking horse to look at a more modest paid (younger) player for the center position.......A La ........Detroit's Andre Drummond or Greg Monroe.

Danny wants to keep the teams payroll down until they get into a position to make a serious run at the title.

112288

per twitter.... Bass declined to speak with the media prior to the game this eve.....

I just found the Adrian wogowski twitter thing and its lee and bass... Both going to Houston, now they are trying to agree on which first goess to Houston

Celtics in 'serious' talks to acquire Asik from Rockets

CSNE - A. SHERROD BLAKLEY

WHO IS OMER ASIK?

27 years-old from Turkey
7'0" -  255lbs
LAST SEASON IN HOUSTON
GP    82
MINS    30
PTS    10.1
REBS    11.7 (3rd)
BLK    1.1
FG %    54.1%


BOSTON — The Atlanta Hawks have apparently pulled themselves out of the Omer Asik sweepstakes, paving the way for Houston to engineer a trade with their Plan B: the Boston Celtics.

The Rockets' first choice for a trade partner was the Hawks, who would have sent a package that included Paul Millsap.

However, Atlanta has been on the fence about trading Milsap throughout this process, in part because they sense they might get more value for him down the road.

As for Boston, the Celtics are expected to include at least two players in a deal for Asik. Yahoo Sports! reported that Boston would offer a package that included Brandon Bass, Courtney Lee and a first-round pick.

Multiple league sources have told CSNNE.com for weeks that Lee was among the players most likely to be dealt by Boston between now and the trading deadline.

As for Bass, he has been among the key cogs in the Celtics playing above expectations that many set for the franchise this season.

Bass' strong play not only helped the Celtics, but also elevated his stock in the eyes of many throughout the league. In going to Houston, Bass would be reunited with Dwight Howard, who played alongside Bass in Orlando.

It would be a reunion of sorts for Lee as well after having played for the Rockets prior to the sign-and-trade with Boston in 2012 that made him a Celtic.

If the Celtics and Rockets are to get a deal done in the next 24 hours, it would give Houston the flexibility to trade any player acquired by the Feb. 21 deadline.

By acquiring Asik, the Celtics will have the rim protector around the paint that they have sorely lacked since trading away Kevin Garnett last summer.

Asik has made no secret about wanting out of Houston within hours after the Rockets acquired Howard in the offseason.

And after former Celtics great and current Houston coach Kevin McHale tried -- and failed -- to play them together, it became a matter of when, not if, Asik would be traded.

112288

I go away for a couple of days (without computer), and return to find hot rumors of Asik to the Celtics in a trade. I'm absolutely astounded! I had never remotely considered Asik's coming to the Celtics.

Sam

Sam, I thought you were the one who orchestrated this deal for Danny.

W, tonight's game with the Pistons was a great example of why defensive height is essential.  Heck, he could turn out to be a bum, although I don't believe so.  But this could be their only shot for a while at a legitimate rim defender rather than a converted PF.

Sam

Totally agree. We need Asik. Rare for a Greek to want a Turk on board but we really need a 5.

GREEK OR GEEK?

112288

I'm both Greek and Geek.

OK,

WELL I DON'T THINK YOUR A GEEK...........BUT YOU ARE A TREAT!

112288

HOPE YOU CAN COME UP FOR THE MARCH 1ST GAME!

Probably will make it...

GREAT!

112288

Well if they do get him hopefully he doesn't walk when his contract is up.



KJ