The Houston Rockets are heading into a vitally important season for their franchise, as they made the move to sign Dwight Howard and with James Harden and Jeremy Lin already on the roster, the team feels that it has the chance to be a championship contender in the West.
Kevin McHale has expressed his desire to try and play both centers in Dwight Howard and Omer Asik at the same time and this comes after reports from over the summer that the Turkish star wanted to be traded. According to Pro Basketball Talk, McHale said that he is not concerned about what Asik is feeling about free agent moves, as he was asked a question about it from the Houston Chronicle.
The reporter brought up the reports about Asik's "feelings" towards the signing of Howard and McHale responded in a way that most coaches would: that Asik isn't the GM and that Daryl Morey is in charge of adding or trading personnel. Back during the summer, McHale and Morey were asked about the report and said that Asik would not be traded and that they are looking forward to finding ways to put both him and Howard on the court, including using one at power forward.
McHale added that he had not yet spoken to Asik about any of it and while a trade does not appear imminent, that doesn't mean it couldn't happen during the season. Morey is all about making the team better and if Asik and Howard can't gel together, Asik could get dealt and some options include the Blazers, Wizards and Kings, but it is more likely that he stays. Asik had a great year last season while averaging a double-double and he also played in all 82 games and averaged over a block per game.
The reports about Asik came out soon after the Howard deal came through and ESPN.com wrote that he "formally" asked the team to trade him, although they denied that request. Asik has developed into one of the most consistent centers in the league and with him turning into a prime starter, he now may have to play backup or in a different position with Howard in the fold. Last season the Lakers had issues with Howard and Pau Gasol playing together and while this is different, it could end the same: with one of the players leaving. Obviously that won't be Howard.
Any team in the market for a durable and consistent center should look to Asik and they should call on the Rockets to at least see what a deal could look like. Asik will be a prime chip around the trading deadline if he is still with the Rockets and after the team made it in as the eighth seed last season, they are looking like a top contender in the West in 2013-14.
