The Houston Rockets are suddenly like their options when it comes to the trading of Omer Asik. After failing to get any team to agree to their demands for the disgruntled center, five teams have emerged as serious contenders to land one of the hottest players available. The Rockets stress that they are on course to trade Asik in the next two weeks, they are just determining the best overall package.
ESPN.com reports that sources close to the team believe that Atlanta Hawks are the preferred trade partner for Asik. However, it is unclear just how interested the Hawks considering they have Paul Millsap as an excellent frontcourt presence. After Asik failed to co-exist with Dwight Howard on the court, could the Rockets center really be the ideal complement for Millsap and the Hawks?
There has been dialogue between the Rockets and the Hawks this week, but Atlanta remains lukewarm on the entire trade and could be holding out for a two-way player since Asik's contract is still very high with center being owed nearly $15 million. As a result, the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers remain the likely landing spots for Asik.
Sources say that Asik's contract is not scaring either team away. The Celtics have publically denied any interest in being active in the trade market, but the Boston Herald is reporting Jeff Green has been offered up in what could be a three-way deal. The Celtics would only be interested if a third team got involved. ESPN suggests the Cleveland Cavaliers as an option since they have also been linked to the Asik trade, offering Anderson Varejao in return for the center. The three big men could essentially just rotate teams with someone making out with a draft pick or two as well.
General manager Daryl Morey is confident that Houston can have Asik traded by Dec. 19. At this point the Hawks do not appear to be real contenders. The Celtics are the best option considering they are will to part with Green and possibly Brandon Bass is need be.
The Rockets are thrilled on their options with Philadelphia. Thaddeus Young is not thrilling the team like Green or Bass. Young is owed more on his current contract and Houston would be pressure to find a third team to take some of the $19.4 million he is owed. That could complicate the trade process even more and make things take longer.
Houston is set on getting this done. Asik has been requesting move ever since Howard arrived and pushed him to the bench. The center is not playing well, but mostly because he has failed to capitalize off his limited time on the court. He would be a solid addition to any team.
