Omer Asik is bound to get traded within the next few weeks. The Houston Rockets are busy sorting through potential partners as a few candidates have emerged with some serious interest. Currently rumored to be in the trade pool for the center is the Boston Celtics who may or may not be tanking the season. According to head coach Brad Stevens, the team is not making any moves in the near future.
ESPN.com confirmed the Celtics were interested in working out a deal for Asik. The Celtics are stocked with over achieving veterans that currently sit on top of the dismal Atlantic Division with their 11-14 record. Danny Ainge could certainly be a buyer in the market in the coming weeks, but if that is happening Stevens has no knowledge of it.
"Couldn't tell you if [his players] read [the trade gossip]; I don't pay attention to that stuff," Stevens said, via ESPNBoston.com. "The only time I would pay attention to it is if [Celtics president of basketball operations] Danny [Ainge] came in and told me that something was being considered, and we haven't had any of those discussions. Ultimately, this is a job, it's a unique business that we are all in, but I have not seen it affect personalities one way or another. It's been the same locker room for the last two months."
Stevens says it is not his job to get involved in the trade rumors. His focus is coaching the current players on the roster while planning for the forthcoming return of point guard Rajon Rondo in the coming weeks. However, if the Celtics intend to be contenders like Stevens has said, a trade for Asik makes sense.
The Rockets center is ready to return to a starting role after getting sent to the bench in wake of the Dwight Howard signing. Landing him would give Boston a huge upgrade in the front line for a few years. He would pair well with Jared Sullinger and Stevens has already proven to be an excellent defensive coach that would work well with the pair.
The Celtics could sell one of their many power forwards. The likely candidates are Brandon Bass or Jeff Green. That would certainly help the Rockets. Boston also has a first-round draft pick to give, something Houston has been in search of.
The Celtics would be trading away part of their future if they go for Asik. Both Bass and Green have tremendous potential and could be building blocks for the future. Giving up the draft picks certainly hurts the rebuilding efforts in the coming year. Asik is a legit big man, but if Stevens has anything to do with it, no trade will be made.
