Knicks continue getting pieces - trade Asik

Soon after trading their starting backcourt, Knicks management rushed to start looking for a new rotation for the upcoming season.

And they had clear who they wanted in first place. Courtney was long coveted by the Knicks organization, although they never traded for him in an attemp to try to develop former #15 pick Jamaal Franklin instead.
So once the rookie was gone the next move was already clear for them. There was little talk to do, both franchises knew what they wanted, and the agreement came in the first minute of the first phone call.

Omer has been a great contributor since he came from the Rockets early in the first CSL season. He was the starting center for one and a half seasons, and only lost his job late last year after McGee joined the team. And even with that both centers were playing similar minutes in the rotation, so Omer was never left behind and continued to be an important piece for the team.

But looking at the hole we had at SG and SF it was more than fair to the Knicks to sacrifice a backup, although still important, center. And even more now with former Wolves Joel Anthony and Festus Ezeli helping in the center rotation.

The acquisition of Lee gives Knicks fans and idea of what their new teams backcourt will look like next season, and the idea of having Ricky and Lee together it's creating a lots of expectations in Manhattan. Trading fan favourites Parsons and specially Linsanity was something Knicks management was worried about, but the acceptance and ilusion that getting Rubio has generated is already making it sweet transition for the fans, as Rubio's new Knicks jersey is already sold out in most stores in Manhattan.

Liked the move for both teams. Both guys are decent role players at their positions and with Joel Anthony on board backup C was less of an issue.

Like I said last time though, gonna need a scoring 3 IMO. Neither Rubio nor Lee are even average scorers.

I think Bosh will get a lot more touches and maybe he'll play at an All-Star caliber player again like in Year 1.

not feeling this one for NY - but I really like Asik so I suppose I'm biased here

Asik is a much better C than Lee a SG. Lee brings some defensive presence at SG but does not address the lack of scoring

SG is a rarer position though IMO.

I'm not gonna doubt Jamal's GM abilities, I'm sure he'll get Lee to perform at a respectable level with Rubio, I do feel however he could've gotten more for Asik considering he's a very good defensive C on an expiring contract.

Maybe during the draft and FA when teams whiff on a FA woulda been a better time to move him.

Or maybe Dallas who's influx right now could've moved Wesley Matthews for Asik which seems like much better fits for both but what's done is done.

Good luck Jamal.

I also think he could have gotten a little more after the draft for Asik, but I understand the move.

I have to agree that I might have been able to get something more for a player like Asik, as I feel he's really underrated. We'll miss him more than people would expect. He did lost the starting position to McGee, but still used a rotation where they both played similar minutes.

But the trade was more than getting a SG to fill the hole Jamaal left, it was about getting Lee. We might be wrong, but our front office also thinks Courtney is a bit underrated, and we're hoping he can still play at a high level in this league. He's a much better outside shooter than many would think, and next to a guy like Rubio we expect him to perform at his best level.

So I agree with most of you, but I wanted Lee badly, and I really don't mind overpaying whenever I get the player(s) I want back as my history of trades suggest (the Melo trade, or maybe the last Ricky one).

As for the scoring of the team I don't know why I'm not concerned about it, even less that I was last year tbh.
I was also questioned about it last year, but we averaged 108,2 PPG in the last 37 regular season games. I might be wrong about it, but I wasn't last year and hopefully we can keep the level trough next season, but only time will tell.
Ricky won't meet Lin's scoring, but he'll surprise a bunch for sure with his scoring. Lee will also contribute more than Jamaal did last season, that's for sure, so we just need to match Parson's scoring at SF.
The only thing I didn't like from him was his 3PT%, at 36,4% even worse than Ricky's 38,4% last season. But yeah, his 16.1ppg will need to be filled by another player, and hopefully they will. But I'll really miss much more his defensive and rebounding presence, as well as his 4 dimes per game.

Just got curious about the trade history regarding Melo, Parsons-Lin-Asik and now Ricky, so I decided to check it out in depth:

Knicks - Rockets:

Melo, Schumpert, R. Wallace, R. Felton for Lin, Parsons, Asik, M.Morris

Knicks - Wolves:

Lin, Parsons, Jamaal for Ricky, J.Anthony, F.Ezeli, J. Sampson

Knicks - Hornets:

Asik for C. Lee, M. Ponitka

To more or less that gives a total of:

Given: Carmelo Anthony, Iman Schumpert, R. Felton, R. Wallace, K.Thomas, Jamaal Franklin

Received: Ricky Rubio, Courtney Lee, J. Anthony, F.Ezeli, J. Sampson, M.Morris, M.Ponitka

I really would have given Melo, Schumpert and a mid first (Jamaal) just to get Ricky (+Lee and I also like F.Ezeli) from day1, but I agree that I tend to overpay to get the players I want, but I really have fun having the players I want and trying to perform with them.
Even myselft didn't expect such a great performance by Lin for example, so I really enjoyed our play this season leaded by Lin and Parsons

Lee is underrated. Prior to Kobe joining by squad, he was averaging 13+ ppg on awesome percentages and 40% from downtown - that's perfect for a 3&D guy, and Lee is one of the best SG defenders in the league.

Your team was the only one that beat us in the Playoffs, so it's sad to see the team go though haha.

orangeparka (MIA) wrote:Your team was the only one that beat us in the Playoffs, so it's sad to see the team go though haha.

Yeah, you only lost 9 games the whole season (RS + PO), so having handled 2 of those 9 it's a decent percentage for us I guess  

But as I told you before, third time's the charm, so be careful next year    

I really like Courtney Lee, so for you to trade a non-essential piece (backup big men can be replaced, yeah Asik was good but his role is easy to fill) makes total sense. Lee is the epitome of 3 and D.

I really like the acquisition of Lee, but I do feel you could have potentially gotten a bit more.

Regardless, Lee who is a strong role player and one of the best 3&D guys there is, will definitely help any team, including your Knicks.

Overall I think you could have done a bit better, but still did well in getting Lee.