Tue, Jul 15, 2014 at 11:04am

THREE-TEAM DEAL: ASIK & CASSPI TO PELICANS, ARIZA TO ROCKETS

In a 3-team trade: the New Orleans Pelicans acquired center Omer Asik, small forward Omri Casspi, and cash from the Houston Rockets; the Houston Rockets acquired small forward Trevor Ariza (signed-and-traded) from Washington, and a protected 1st-round draft pick in 2015 plus swingmen Alonzo Gee and Scotty Hopson from New Orleans; and the Washington Wizards acquired a trade exception worth $8.5 million from Houston, plus power forward-center Melvin Ely from New Orleans.

What does it give the New Orleans Pelicans
This deal gives the Pelicans the true center they need (in Asik), and allows rising superstar {P Anthony Davis} to settle in at power forward. While Asik is limited as a scorer, he takes up a lot of space in the paint and is an exceptional rebounder who can help Davis anchor the team's defense. His hefty salary ($8.4 million next season) led to New Orleans needing to clear significant cap space (which is why they earlier picked up Gee and Hopson, then move them here to open the space up). Casspi should be in the mix to start at small forward for the Pelicans, as he has untapped talent and can hit from the perimeter.

What does it give the Houston Rockets
With restricted free agent {P Chandler Parsons} signing an offer sheet recently with rival Dallas, Houston needed to adjust and they do so here by adding Ariza. This deal likely means Parsons will be allowed to go to the Mavericks. Meanwhile this swap also finds a trade taker for Asik, who was openly unhappy with getting bumped to a backup role after {P Dwight Howard} arrived in Houston last year. Moving Asik will be good for team chemistry, and getting a protected first-round pick in the bargain is a nice bonus. Gee and Hopson can both be waived to free up several millions in cap room.

What does it give the Washington Wizards
Ariza proved to be a nice fit and a valuable starter for the Wiz last season; but after he inked an offer sheet with Houston recently, this sign-and-trade deal helps the Wizards get something in return for Ariza (specifically, the $8.5 million trade exception). Ely is expected to be waived, which will clear up even more cap space for Washington.

Fantasy impact
Asik's only significant fantasy contributions come as a rebounder, but he also shoots for a good field goal percentage and will block some shots. His arrival in New Orleans should ensure that {P Ryan Anderson} (when healthy) will come off the bench as the Pelicans' sixth man and third big-man. That said, it doesn't affect Anderson much fantasy-wise, although Asik's value improves significantly--meaning young, intriguing pivots {P Alexis Ajinca} and {P Jeff Withey} both take a hit. Casspi provides needed veteran depth for the Hornets, and he may even start at small forward (depending on the role the team has planned for the versatile {P Tyreke Evans}). In Houston, the Rockets have clearly moved on from Parsons, and Ariza should remain roughly as productive with Houston as he was last season with Washington. Gee and Hopson are expected to be waived for salary purposes, as is Ely.