Your Morning Dump… Where it’s 50/50 the Celtics extend Tyler Zeller?

Agreed. You never know what will happen injury wise or through trades or simply not getting the minutes. Brandon Wright got 3/18 and Koufos 4/33 this summer. Robin Lopez was overpaid at 4/54 but he is a similar offensive player to Zeller and much better defender. Asik was also overpaid at 5/60 and Zeller is a slightly better offensive player than him, but again not nearly the defender. I’d say that the security of a long-term deal and knowing his role is defined and valued by his coach and this organization (similar to Crowder) would be enough to get Zeller extended 5 years in the 40-45 million range. If it is closer to 40 maybe give him an opt-out after year 3 or 4.

Asik had an off year defensively and still was slightly better than Zeller in terms of opponents FG%, blocks, steals and other defensive stats. Not sure which stats you were using. I think if you take their last 3 years combined then Zeller comes out as not nearly the defender Asik is, but for just this past season he certainly closed the gap. Asik is a career 10 point 4 offensive rebound guy per 36 mins who shoots a solid 54% from the field but a terrible 55% from the line. Zeller is a 14 point, 3 offensive reb guy per 36 mins who shoots a solid 50% from the floor and a very good (for a big) 77% from the line. I have seen Asik dunk with power many times and rarely see Zeller do so, but Tyler is definitely the more gifted offensive player overall and his slightly better PER’s confirm this. Considering Zeller is 25 and Asik 29, and I’ve already said Asik is overpaid, there is no question I would rather pay Zeller on his cheap rookie contract one more year and than match a deal up to 4 years and 48 million for him as a RFA (prefer to extend him now at 5/45 though) over just being given Asik for free next summer, letting Zeller walk and paying Omar 4/48 for his age 30-33 seasons.