The Celtics are reportedly looking to find some depth in the frontcourt, as they’ve made their way into the trade rumors surrounding Rockets center Omer Asik.
The Celtics have played a little better than expected so far this season with their 12-14 record. Leading the abysmal Atlantic division, the Celtics have looked sharp in some of their wins and don’t look like they’re going to tank the way they were expected to.
If Boston was able to add Omer Asik to their roster, he would bring some much-needed frontcourt depth. Asik has only played in 17 games this year, averaging 4.4 ppg and 6.8 rpg. He hasn’t been a vital part of Houston’s identity since they acquired Dwight Howard over the summer.
Asik had a very productive year last season, ranking third in the league in rebounds (11.7) to go along with 10.7 ppg. Asik would give Boston exactly what they need: a defensive and rebounding presence inside.
The potential trade rumors feature the Celtics giving up either Jeff Green or Brandon Bass in the deal.
It would behoove Boston to hold onto Jeff Green. While he hasn’t been spectacular, Green has been Boston’s leading scorer at 16.5 ppg. In his first season as the go-to guy on offense, he hasn’t been terrible. With a true point guard like Rajon Rondo back, Green should see his production rise. The Celtics need Green to remain the team’s number one offensive option.
If Boston gave up Green for Asik, their offense would take a big hit, even with Rondo back. There wouldn’t be a viable one-on-one option for the Celtics to go to, and they’re thin on the perimeter already.
Brandon Bass is no scrub - in fact, he’s playing much better than he did last season, averaging 11.2 ppg and 6.3 rpg. Bass is playing more like the way he played during the 2011-2012 season. The Celtics, however, are stacked at the power forward position and can afford to give up Brandon Bass in exchange for Asik. Jared Sullinger is getting better every night and is becoming a solid power forward in just his second NBA season.
Although rookie Kelly Olynyk is listed as a center-forward, he’s definitely more suitable for the forward position and has shown promise as well. Kris Humphries has been a nice hustle forward for the Celtics too, and Boston has enough solid power forwards that they can afford to give up Bass (and maybe even Olynyk too).
While trading Bass for Asik straight up wouldn’t work (Boston doesn’t have the room to absorb Asik’s contract), the deal could work if Boston throws in Olynyk or Phil Pressey.
Danny Ainge should seriously look into the prospect of pairing up Sullinger and Asik. The Celtics are beginning to find their rhythm, winning five of their last seven, and that run could continue with the defensive boost Asik would provide.
Ainge could go in another direction, trading Green to intentionally take a step backward with a view toward the loaded 2014 draft. The Celtics shouldn’t do that. Regardless of how they play going forward, they have protected first-round picks in the next five drafts from the Brooklyn Nets. The way the Nets have been playing this season, it’s very likely that the Celtics could get a lottery pick at the end of the year. Either way, they shouldn’t trade Green just to tank this season.
Boston will likely get a lottery pick from Brooklyn in the next few seasons whether they tank or not, so it makes the most sense to keep Green for his offensive production and let Bass go.
The Rockets, on the other hand, would love to pair up Bass with Dwight Howard. Bass would be the perfect complement to Howard with his shooting ability and rebounding skills, and an Asik for Bass trade would benefit both teams.
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