The Sacramento Kings have made a number of improvements this offseason as they break in a new owner, coach and general manager and after being interested in center Timofey Mozgov and losing him back to the Denver Nuggets, could the team go after another big man in Houston Rockets center Omer Asik?
The Kings went hard after Andre Iguodala and Monta Ellis before the stars signed with other teams in the Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks and after bringing in players like Carl Landry and drafting Rau McCallum, there is a chance they could go after the Houston Rockets center as well, as he said he was disgruntled after the team signed Dwight Howard. According to ESPN.com, the Kings showed interest in Asik soon after that news came out and while no imminent deal talks started, there is chance that could happen now after the Kings also chased Mozgov.
The Nuggets wanted to retain Mozgov to keep some depth in the front court and the Kings were hoping to do the same behind star DeMarcus Cousins, who may get a long-term extension at some point this year to keep him off the free agent market. The team was interested in having Mozgov backup Cousins, but as a restricted free agent the Nuggets decided to retain him on a three-year, $14 million contract. Mozgov did not play much under George Karl last season while averaging 2.6 points and 2.6 boards in 41 games, but he is expected to get more of a look under Brian Shaw and he comes in with career averages of 3.9 points and 3.1 rebounds in 130 career games.
The Nuggets wanted to keep some size behind JaVale McGee and along with JJ Hickson he is expected to play more this season. The Kings have been a team that was rumored in various trade talks this offseason, but most of those deals did not go down apart from Tyreke Evans to the Pelicans and now they could deal again. The team was rumored to be moving Jimmer Fredette but that never transpired and two other players that could move include John Salmons and Chuck Hayes. Salmons has a near expiring contract of nearly $8 million that the Kings would love to move and Hayes is another option as well.
The Rockets brought in veteran Marcus Camby and the fact that he is on roster now could make the team comfortable enough to trade Asik. Coach Kevin McHale and GM Daryl Morey have so far said that they want to work things out with Asik, but if that doesn't happen there is a chance a deal could get done. Asik is now one of the most consistent centers in the NBA and last season he started in 82 games and averaged nearly a double-double while also playing great defense. It was his first chance starting and Asik said that he didn't want to lose playing time to Howard after finally proving himself with 10.1 points, 11.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game.
Asik has $20 million and two years left on his deal and while the Kings are looking to keep salaries at a fair total overall, by getting rid of Hayes and Salmons' contracts on the books, the deal could work out. The Rockets may be reluctant to make a move because they like Asik, but if he battles with Howard all season it might be something they want to consider going forward.
