and as far as I can tell, Paul Allen still expects the team to be in the playoffs every year (and the fans do, too). the only reason LA is on the market is because they know he's leaving next summer.

I think they're fine holding LA until the trade deadline if they think that's what it will take to get the best deal for him, and probably want a chance to see some lottery pick players in action to get back in a deal for him.

personally, if they trade LA away WITHOUT getting a player that has a legitimate chance to be an offensive focal point (because seriously, the Blazers are almost unwatchable on offense when LA misses time) I will consider the trade a failure.

sure, Asik would be an upgrade over Lopez, but not enough of an upgrade that you'd submarine your entire offense for it.