Houston clears cap space by dealing Omer Asik to New Orleans for a 2015 first-round pick.
Houston Rockets
The 2014 free-agent class is getting stronger. LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony exercised early-termination options. Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh could both opt out. Houston is strongly interested in acquiring a third marquee player to pair with Dwight Howard and James Harden to create its own “Big Three.” Moving Asik, while taking back no salary, helps immensely.
After dealing Asik, Houston still has more maneuvering to complete to be able to sign one of the top tier-free agents. Jeremy Lin is likely next to be dealt.
Houston loses a valuable center in Asik, though the first-round pick it added next year will likely fall in the late lottery. Making the playoffs in the West is a daunting task, and the Pelicans will likely be a fringe playoff team. Making this move makes a lot of sense for the Rockets and is a good move even if they cannot acquire a marquee free agent, as Asik’s current deal expires after next season. He would have likely left via free agency.
Grade: A-
New Orleans
New Orleans desperately needed to find a center to pair with Anthony Davis in the frontcourt. Asik fits a dire need and should return to the form he played with as Houston’s starting center two years ago, when he averaged a double-double and a block per game.
The larger worry involves New Orleans’ willingness to deal draft choices. The Pelicans do not have a pick in the first round this year and will no longer have one next year after this trade is completed on July 10. Their long-term ability to add players is limited to due the presence of many long-term, expensive deals. One has to wonder whether New Orleans has reached the ceiling of its potential with the current roster. Being a fringe playoff team, this move will have its share of skeptics.
While trading first-round picks in successive years is typically not a good strategy, one cannot deny that Asik fits a need alongside Davis and forms a very capable frontcourt that will block a lot of shots and control the glass. If Holiday, Gordon and Evans all produce at a level above last season, New Orleans could make the playoffs. If not, this trade will not look like a success in hindsight.
Grade: C+
Summary:
The success of this trade for New Orleans is largely dependent on whether Asik can help lead the Pelicans to the playoffs. If so, this will have been a very astute move. Houston acquires a future first while succeeding in its goal to clear cap space. Morey did very well with this trade.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
