Nearly a year after the Pelicans first reportedly made Omer Asik available, he remains on the trade block in New Orleans, according to A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com. A league source tells Blakely that Asik is “very much available” once again this season.
The news doesn’t come as a real surprise, since Asik was the subject of trade rumors last year as soon as he become eligible to be dealt on December 15. Although his name surfaced again several times before the 2016 deadline, the veteran center ultimately stayed put, with his pricey five-year contract negatively impacting his trade value. A year later, following the NBA salary cap’s jump from $70MM to $94MM+, Asik’s long-term deal may be a little more palatable.
Asik is currently in the second year of a five-year contract that is fully guaranteed through 2018/19. His cap hit for this season is about $9.9MM, as he continues to play a modest role in New Orleans, contributing just 3.3 PPG and 6.0 RPG in 17.5 minutes per contest.
As Blakely notes, the Celtics are among the teams that have had interest in Asik at various times in the past. However, a league source tells the CSN scribe that Boston is unlikely to make a move anytime soon unless it drastically improves the team’s chances of making a deep playoff run. In other words, the first priority for GM Danny Ainge is to land a star — if that’s not possible, he may circle back to a secondary piece or two closer to the deadline.
While Ainge may be prioritizing an impact player, acquiring a solid rim protector and rebounder would help balance the Celtics’ lineup in the second half of the season. The team has also been linked to Andrew Bogut, though the Mavs aren’t shopping the former No. 1 pick at this time.
The Mavericks are 5-18, which is the worst record in the NBA. Their entire team should be available for trade.
Why is the gm that gave this contract and hired Alvin gentry still employed?
Which is dumber, the Asik deal.
Or the Miles Plumlee 4- year $52m deal to be the Bucks 4th string Center?
Not Gentry’s fault they have that personnel. He is running the right system. They just need at least another shooter on the wing. Also, they can’t stay healthy to save their lives. They actually made good moves this recent offseason, but the rest of the team isn’t good enough, with the exception of Holiday and obviously Davis
C.J. McCollum would fit in nicely for the Pelicans to play at the wing as a good shooter.
and how would they get him from Portland? lol
1st rounder(which will be high this year) and buddy hield though I’m not sure if the pelicans would want to do that
No way portland would even consider something like that. Also, it’s still early, but Hield is really pressing. He needs to just go play basketball b/c otherwise, he looks like a bust. Trying too hard can be a bad thing
Osik would benefit of playing for the Trailblazers to help them go deep in the playoffs and be neck-and-neck w/ the Warriors. Pelicans should receive Meyers Leonard as he can use a change of scenery on top of getting C.J. McCollum. Both should fit right in playing alongside Anthony Davis.
Their is no way we give 3J. However Crabbe is available for Asik and Pick. Add in Vonleh if you want…
N.O. SENDS O.ASIK TO BOS. for K.Olynick and M.Smart
N.O. SENDS A DRAFT PICK .
Asik to the Bulls for transfer of the right to say I told you so…