The Houston Rockets are riding high after adding free agent Dwight Howard to their roster and now that the team has the star in on a contract, one player is not so happy, as center Omer Asik has formally asked for a trade from the franchise.
According to ESPN.com, Asik, who also plays center and sometimes power forward, does not like the prospect of playing with Howard or behind him and has asked for a trade. The Rockets so far have said that they have no plans to trade him and he has said that he will leave the team in free agency although he is under contract for two more seasons at $20 million. The Rockets have said that they have no plans to trade Asik and that they will try and get things right before the season starts.
Last season Asik had a fantastic year while playing for the Rockets and alongside James Harden for the first time, appearing in all 82 games and averaging a double-double of 10 points and11 rebounds while hitting over 54 percent of his shots. Asik has been developing into one of the most consistent centers in the game and after Howard announced that he signed with the team, Asik said he hoped the team would grant him a trade.
Coach Kevin McHale said during the summer league that the team will try to work things out with Asik rather than trade him and he compared the situation to when the franchise had Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson. Asik was not happy about his playing time going down and his role on the team getting smaller and sources said that he did not think it could work playing with Howard since they are in the same position. McHale said that team could play two bigs at the same time and that they would like to keep Asik in the fold as they try to make a championship run.
"With Omer, he had a great year for us last year and really became one of the top centers in the league," McHale said. "It's just when you have an opportunity to get Dwight, it's hard not to. I'm sure Omer right now is a little down in the dumps, but we'll pick him up."
