Celtics really are frontrunners to land Asik, deal may include Bass, Lee and a pick


It is well known that If Wojnarowski of YahooSports reports a trade rumor, it is, with 99% confidence, true. So here is what Woj has just said:







This is a great deal for both teams. The Celtics manage to unload two long-term contracts for a potential building block and they lose one pick but hey, they have a zillion first rounders at the moment so, you know. The Rockets get what they need, a stretch four who has above average defensive skills and then some: Lee, who is finally playing up to the expectations.

I don't see any teams that can present a better offer to the Rockets in the next 24 hours and/or are willing to take on Asik's contract next year. The Hawks might have a chance, but as reported earlier, they're lukewarm on Asik (understandably so as they already have Horford.)

I think we're really close to seeing Asik in green. Asik was a backup to Semih Erden (remember him?) back in 2007 when they both played for the same Turkish team, but Asik has constantly improved and turned into a rare center with great defensive abilities and quick feet in the NBA. Erden was a Faverani-type favorite for the Celtics fans, but Asik will definitely be more than that. A potential roster of Asik-Sully-Green-Bradley-Rondo sounds really good if we can hold onto all those pieces and then upgrade Green. Oh, and we go under luxury tax by 3 millions, and we also have that trade exception in pocket too.

Good move, Ainge. Please pull it off.

For more on this trade rumor, please read Mike Dyer's, Matt's and Padraic's quite informative pieces.
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